GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide)
Also known as: Copper tripeptide-1, GHK copper complex, Prezatide copper
GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide), also called Copper tripeptide-1 or GHK copper complex, is a copper tripeptide. GHK is a naturally occurring tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) with high affinity for copper(II), and the copper complex is the biologically active species. Plasma GHK concentrations fall substantially with age, which is the observation the field is built on.
For research use only.
Key Facts
- CAS
- 89030-95-5
- Molecular Weight (MW)
- 403.92 g/mol
- Half-life
- Short; typically used topically
- FDA status
- Not Approved
- Evidence level
- Limited Human Evidence
- Human dose established
- No
- Administration Route
- Not established in humans
- Frequency
- Not established in humans
- Last updated
- Sep 26, 2026
- Reviewed
- Aug 30, 2026
- Targets
- Copper-dependent enzymesExtracellular matrix
Vendor price snapshot
Each vendor counts once, at the median price per mg of its own listings; the typical range is the middle half of vendors. From public vendor listings collected between Dec 2025 and Sep 2026, so confirm the live price on the vendor site. Peptide Library does not sell peptides.
- Vendors listing this peptide
- 38
- Listed offers
- 73
- Median price per mg
- $0.800/mg
- Typical $0.619โ$1.04/mg
Research summary
Endogenous glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex used widely in cosmetics for skin remodeling. Injectable research use is unapproved. USADA lists GHK (tripeptide-1) as not prohibited.
Peptide Library's GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) profile summarises 5 cited studies listed in the Science section, the compound's regulatory status, and research-protocol parameters reported for it. It is a research reference, not medical advice.
GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) dosage: no established human dose
GHK-Cu has no established injectable human dosage. Every human study of it is topical: a randomised trial of a GHK-Cu-containing skincare regimen after CO2 laser resurfacing, and a phase 2 trial of a topical gel for acute wound healing that is still recruiting. Those studies evaluate finished topical formulations rather than a quantified peptide dose, and none supports subcutaneous injection.
No established human dosage.
Human clinical evidence: None identified.
Preclinical research: GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide with a substantial preclinical literature on wound repair, extracellular matrix remodelling and antioxidant signalling, together with cosmetic-science work on topical formulations. Human evidence is limited to topical use and does not quantify a peptide dose. There is no human study of injected GHK-Cu, so no injectable dose, route or interval is established, and preclinical figures are not converted into one here.
Animal dosing is not converted into a human dose anywhere on this page. Where research figures appear below, they are reported as studied, not recommended.
| Human dosing established | No |
|---|---|
| Route | Topical (in all human studies) |
| Frequency | Per product regimen in the published topical study |
| Duration studied | Post-procedure skincare course |
| Evidence level | Limited Human Evidence |
| Last reviewed | 2026-09-05 |
Human research reported
Doses as studied, one row per regimen. Different trials used different regimens; they are listed separately rather than averaged.
| Study / context | Population | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Outcome studied | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Randomised trial โ CO2 laser-resurfaced skin (Miller et al., 2006)Clinical trial ยท Randomised controlled trial of a topical product | Patients undergoing circumoral CO2 laser skin resurfacing | Not quantified โ a skincare regimen containing the copper tripeptide complex | Topical | Per post-treatment skincare regimen | Post-treatment follow-up period | Erythema, wrinkle and overall skin appearance after resurfacing | Miller TR et al. Effects of topical copper tripeptide complex on CO2 laser-resurfaced skin. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2006. |
| NCT07437586 โ phase 2, recruiting, no resultsClinical trial ยท Registered phase 2 trial, recruiting | Adults with acute skin wounds (planned n=60) | Not disclosed | Topical gel | โ | โ | Acute skin wound healing | NCT07437586 โ Topical GHK-Cu Gel for Acute Skin Wound Healing |
Where sources disagree
- GHK-Cu is widely sold as a lyophilised vial for subcutaneous injection, with protocols commonly quoted around 1โ2 mg. No human study has evaluated injected GHK-Cu at any dose, and no primary source for those figures could be identified.
- The published human evidence tests finished topical products containing the copper tripeptide complex, not a measured quantity of peptide. A concentration in a cream cannot be read as an injectable dose.
- Copper is pharmacologically active in its own right, and the copper complex is integral to the molecule. Evidence for the complex is not evidence for the uncomplexed GHK peptide, which is also sold.
Reconstitution
Common research vial sizes: 50 mg, 100 mg.
| Vial | Bacteriostatic water | Concentration | Per 0.01 mL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 mg | 5 mL | 10 mg/mL | 100 mcg per 0.01 mL |
| 100 mg | 5 mL | 20 mg/mL | 200 mcg per 0.01 mL |
These figures are arithmetic only โ they convert a vial and a volume into a concentration. They are not a recommendation to take any dose.
Calculate reconstitution & dose โHandling & administration
- Reconstitution Guide
- Injectable: add 1โ2 mL bacteriostatic water per vial as desired.
- Injection Sites
- Abdomen
- Timing Notes
- Topical use within skincare routine; injectable anytime Prefer injectable forms; oral versions generally have low bioavailability and are not recommended. When stacking different classes, space injections by 15โ30 minutes; do not mix in the same syringe unless verified compatible. Administer GHK-Cu separately due to copper reactivity; avoid mixing in the same syringe.
- Expected Onset
- 2โ6 weeks for cosmetic outcomes
How to reconstitute GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide)
- Check the vial size and diluent volume. The profile example for GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) is: Injectable: add 1โ2 mL bacteriostatic water per vial as desired.
- Swab both vial stoppers and draw the bacteriostatic water into a sterile syringe.
- Add the water slowly down the inside wall of the peptide vial so it does not jet onto the powder, then swirl gently until the solution is clear. Do not shake.
- Label the vial with the date and concentration, refrigerate it (see Storage & stability below), and use the calculator preset to convert a dose in mcg into syringe units.
Open the peptide calculator with the GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) preset โ
Sequence & molecular data
| Amino acid sequence | Gly-His-Lys (Cu2+ complex) |
|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C14H24CuN6O4 |
| Molecular weight | 403.92 g/mol |
| CAS number | 89030-95-5 |
| Half-life | Short; typically used topically |
| Appearance | Blue solution (topical) or white lyophilized powder (injectable) |
| Formulation | Lyophilized Powder |
| PubChem CID | 139035031 |
Identifiers link to the public PubChem, FDA Substance Registration (UNII), ChEMBL and DrugBank records for the same entity.
Science
Mechanism of Action
GHK is a naturally occurring tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) with high affinity for copper(II), and the copper complex is the biologically active species. Plasma GHK concentrations fall substantially with age, which is the observation the field is built on. In skin explant and fibroblast studies the complex modulates expression of matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors, stimulates collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, and shifts a broad set of inflammatory and remodelling genes. Copper itself is a required cofactor for lysyl oxidase, the enzyme that cross-links collagen and elastin, which may account for part of the effect. Most evidence is in vitro or from cosmetic formulation studies rather than controlled clinical trials.
Origin
Plasma tripeptide isolated by Pickart; copper(II) complex.
Targets
Studies
- Are We Ready to Measure Skin Permeation of Modern Antiaging GHK-Cu Tripeptide Encapsulated in Liposomes?
- Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data
- An injectable hydroxyapatite microsphere filler loaded with GHK-Cu tripeptide for anti-Inflammatory and antioxidant
- Exploring the beneficial effects of GHK-Cu on an experimental model of colitis and the underlying mechanisms
- Novel Applications of CE-ICP-MS/MS: Monitoring of Antiaging GHK-Cu Cosmetic Component Encapsulation in Liposomes
Regulatory & research status
GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) is not an FDA-approved product. It is sold for laboratory research and has no approved medical use.
| FDA status | Not Approved |
|---|---|
| Availability | Research-Only |
| WADA (sport) | Permitted |
| Library classification | Research-Only |
Benefits
GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) side effects
GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) has only limited human data, so the list below is incomplete and its side-effect profile is not well established.
Side Effects
- Blue-green tint at high copper load
- Irritation
- Injection-site reactions if injected
Contraindications
- Avoid megadosing; discontinue if irritation occurs
Stacking
Common stacking partners
Combinations that include GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide), with the proposed rationale, an evidence grade and what is not established, are catalogued in the peptide stacks directory.
Storage & stability
Lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptide powder is far more stable than the reconstituted solution. Keep sealed vials cold, dry and away from light; long-term storage is typically frozen, with short-term refrigeration for vials in use.
Once reconstituted in bacteriostatic water, keep the solution refrigerated, avoid repeated freezeโthaw cycles and agitation, and label the vial with the reconstitution date and concentration. Discard any solution that turns cloudy or shows particulates.
Degradation rates differ by sequence: peptides containing methionine, cysteine, asparagine or glutamine are more prone to oxidation and deamidation, so shelf life after reconstitution is compound-specific rather than universal.
Read the full guide: how to store peptides before and after reconstitution โ
Source: Manning MC, Chou DK, Murphy BM, Payne RW, Katayama DS. Stability of protein pharmaceuticals: an update. Pharm Res. 2010;27(4):544โ575. (PMID 20143256). General guidance for research handling; not product-specific instructions.
GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide): frequently asked questions
What is GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide)?
Endogenous glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex used widely in cosmetics for skin remodeling. Injectable research use is unapproved. USADA lists GHK (tripeptide-1) as not prohibited. GHK is a naturally occurring tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) with high affinity for copper(II), and the copper complex is the biologically active species. Plasma GHK concentrations fall substantially with age, which is the observation the field is built on.
What are the side effects of GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide)?
GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) has only limited human data, so its side-effect profile is not well established. Effects recorded on this profile include blue-green tint at high copper load, irritation and injection-site reactions if injected. Cautions recorded on this profile: avoid megadosing; discontinue if irritation occurs. This is reference information, not medical advice.
How does GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) work?
GHK is a naturally occurring tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) with high affinity for copper(II), and the copper complex is the biologically active species. Plasma GHK concentrations fall substantially with age, which is the observation the field is built on.
Is GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) FDA approved?
No. GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) is not approved by the FDA for any indication and is categorised as research-only. It has not been reviewed for safety or efficacy as a medicine, and published research should be read as investigation rather than established use.
What is the half-life of GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide)?
Reported half-life for GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) is Short; typically used topically. Half-life describes how long the compound persists in circulation, not how long any effect lasts, and published figures vary with route of administration, formulation and the population studied.
What is the amino acid sequence of GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide)?
GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) has the sequence Gly-His-Lys (Cu2+ complex), giving a chain of 3 amino acids. Its molecular formula is C14H24CuN6O4.
Is GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) banned in sport?
GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) is recorded here as permitted in sport. Anti-doping status is revised annually, so athletes subject to testing should confirm against the current WADA Prohibited List before use.
How long does GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) take to show effects in research protocols?
The research protocol on this profile lists an expected onset of 2โ6 weeks for cosmetic outcomes. This is a protocol note describing when studies and researchers report observing changes, not a measured clinical outcome, and it varies with the model, dose and endpoint studied.
Where is GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) administered in research protocols?
Research protocols on this profile use subcutaneous (systemic) or topical (cosmetic) administration, with recorded sites including abdomen. Site rotation and sterile technique are standard practice in the research literature; this describes protocol conditions and is not guidance for use.
Why is GHK-Cu solution blue?
The copper(II) complex is blue, so a blue solution is expected and is not a sign of contamination. A clear, colourless solution sold as GHK-Cu is the more surprising result. A change in colour over time after reconstitution is worth noticing.
Is GHK-Cu research about injections or skin?
Mostly skin and cell culture. The literature splits into in-vitro work on gene expression and collagen synthesis, topical human studies on skin firmness, fine lines and wound healing, and a thin systemic literature. Clinical evidence sits almost entirely with topical use, so claims of extensive clinical research for injectable GHK-Cu usually point to topical or cell studies.
Can copper from GHK-Cu build up in the body?
Copper homeostasis is tightly regulated, but copper is an essential trace metal with a toxic ceiling. A topical product delivers a small amount to a limited area; systemic administration is a different exposure question that the topical literature does not address, which is why injectable GHK-Cu warrants more caution than its cosmetic reputation suggests.
References
- Are We Ready to Measure Skin Permeation of Modern Antiaging GHK-Cu Tripeptide Encapsulated in Liposomes? โ Molecules, 2025External reference
- Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data โ Int J Mol Sci, 2018External reference
- An injectable hydroxyapatite microsphere filler loaded with GHK-Cu tripeptide for anti-Inflammatory and antioxidant โ Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces, 2025External reference
- Exploring the beneficial effects of GHK-Cu on an experimental model of colitis and the underlying mechanisms โ Front Pharmacol, 2025External reference
- Novel Applications of CE-ICP-MS/MS: Monitoring of Antiaging GHK-Cu Cosmetic Component Encapsulation in Liposomes โ Electrophoresis, 2024External reference
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- Cosmetic peptidesCategory
- Peptide stacks: combinations by research goalStacks
- Peptide dosage chart: dose, route and frequencyCategory
- Peptide calculator with the GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) preset
- How to store peptides before and after reconstitution
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Compiled by Peptide Library Editorial ยท Reviewed Aug 30, 2026 ยท Updated Sep 26, 2026 ยท Version 6
This GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) profile is compiled from published literature (5 cited studies linked above), public regulatory records and chemical registries. It describes what research reports; it is not medical advice, and nothing here is a dosing recommendation for humans. Peptide Library does not sell peptides. Editorial policy ยท How profiles are compiled ยท Report an error
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