GHK-Cu
Also known as Copper Tripeptide-1
Copper-binding tripeptide present in human plasma; extensive cosmetic literature, limited systemic data.
Evidence
Animal or in-vitro only
Risk band
Known AEs, monitoring advised
Research goals
Summary
GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) studied largely for skin remodeling, wound healing, and anti-aging applications [1,2]. Reviews report that GHK and its copper chelate have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and tissue-remodeling properties, with effects demonstrated on skin, lung, bone, liver, and stomach tissue, and preliminary observations that GHK can partially reverse cognitive impairment in aging mice [1,2]. However, this evidence base is predominantly preclinical (in vitro and in vivo) and review-level, with a noted absence of clinical studies and significant pharmaceutical challenges including the peptide's hydrophilic, unstable nature and poor permeation across the skin barrier [3,4]. The provided literature contains no interventional human randomized trials, so therapeutic claims in humans should be regarded as preliminary [3,4].
Sources
- 1. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data International journal of molecular sciences, 2018.
- 2. The potential of GHK as an anti-aging peptide Aging pathobiology and therapeutics, 2020.
- 3. Topically applied GHK as an anti-wrinkle peptide: Advantages, problems and prospective BioImpacts : BI, 2025.
- 4. Are We Ready to Measure Skin Permeation of Modern Antiaging GHK-Cu Tripeptide Encapsulated in Liposomes? Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2025.
For educational purposes only.