GHK-Cu copper peptide: what the research shows
GHK-Cu is a small copper peptide that occurs naturally in human blood plasma, saliva and urine. It consists of three amino acids (glycine, histidine and lysine) bound to a copper ion. GHK-Cu is one of the best known peptides in skin care research, and it is also studied for wound healing and connective tissue. This guide explains where GHK-Cu comes from, what the research shows and how it differs from other copper peptides.
GHK-Cu copper peptide
GHK-Cu is a small copper peptide that occurs naturally in human blood plasma, saliva and urine. It consists of three amino acids (glycine, histidine and lysine) bound to a copper ion. GHK-Cu is one of the best known peptides in skin care research, and it is also studied for wound healing and connective tissue. This guide explains where GHK-Cu comes from, what the research shows and how it differs from other copper peptides.
How GHK-Cu was discovered
In 1973, the biochemist Loren Pickart was studying why liver tissue from older people produced different proteins than liver tissue from younger people. He found that a factor in the blood of younger people caused the older tissue to behave more like young tissue. This factor turned out to be the tripeptide GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine).
GHK has a strong affinity for copper(II) ions. In the body, it is largely present as the complex GHK-Cu. According to Pickart, the concentration of GHK in human plasma is about 200 ng/mL at the age of 20 and drops to about 80 ng/mL by the age of 60. This decline is one reason why GHK-Cu attracted interest in research on skin ageing.
What the GHK-Cu research looks at
Research on GHK-Cu covers several areas. The most studied are:
Skin and collagen: production of collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans in skin cells
Wound healing: wound closure and tissue remodelling in animal models
Hair follicles: size of hair follicles in cell and animal studies
Gene expression: effects on the activity of many human genes
A review by Pickart, Vasquez-Soltero and Margolina (2015) in BioMed Research International summarises the skin research. In cell cultures, GHK-Cu increased the production of collagen and other components of the skin matrix. It also influenced the enzymes that break down damaged matrix proteins. Several small cosmetic studies with creams that contain GHK-Cu reported improvements in skin density and fine lines. These were short studies with few participants.
GHK-Cu and gene expression
The most discussed GHK-Cu finding comes from gene data. Pickart and Margolina (2018) analysed GHK in the Broad Institute Connectivity Map, a database that shows how substances change gene activity in human cells. They reported that GHK changed the expression of thousands of genes, including genes involved in tissue repair, antioxidant defence and inflammation. These are cell culture data. They show which pathways GHK may influence, but they do not prove an effect in the human body.
GHK-Cu in skin care and in research
GHK-Cu is used in two different worlds. In cosmetics, it is an ingredient in serums and creams, usually at low concentrations. Its characteristic blue colour comes from the copper ion. In laboratories, GHK-Cu is used as a pure research compound in higher amounts, mostly in lyophilised form.
For skin care products, the main questions are concentration, formulation and stability. GHK-Cu is sensitive to strong acids and to some other active ingredients. For example, combining it in one formula with vitamin C (ascorbic acid) or with strong exfoliating acids can reduce its stability.
GHK-Cu compared to other copper peptides
GHK-Cu is not the only copper peptide. Cosmetic chemists have developed variants such as AHK-Cu (alanine instead of glycine), which is mainly studied in hair research. GHK-Cu remains the best studied form, with the most publications and the longest research history.
GHK-Cu is also part of combination research. It is included, together with BPC-157, TB-500 and KPV, in our BPC-157 / GHK-Cu / TB-500 / KPV blend. If you want to understand the other peptides in this blend, our articles What is BPC-157 and BPC-157 vs TB-500 explain them in detail.
How labs store and prepare GHK-Cu
Pure GHK-Cu is supplied as a blue lyophilised powder. Labs store the sealed vial in a freezer at -20 °C for long-term storage or in a refrigerator at 2 to 8 °C for shorter periods. Light and moisture should be avoided.
GHK-Cu dissolves well in water. The reconstituted solution has a clear blue colour. A colour change to green or brown can be a sign of degradation. The process of dissolving and calculating the concentration is explained in our guide on how to reconstitute peptides.
Our GHK-Cu 50 mg is supplied as lyophilised powder for laboratory research.
Frequently asked questions about GHK-Cu
Why is GHK-Cu blue?
Can GHK-Cu be combined with vitamin C?
Is GHK-Cu the same as copper peptides?
Sources
Pickart L, Margolina A (2018). Regenerative and protective actions of the GHK-Cu peptide in the light of the new gene data. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. doi:10.3390/ijms19071987
Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A (2015). GHK peptide as a natural modulator of multiple cellular pathways in skin regeneration. BioMed Research International. doi:10.1155/2015/648108
This article summarises published research for information only. It is not medical advice. All products on this site are sold for laboratory research use only and are not intended for human or veterinary use.
