Summary
- What it does
- Copper peptide GHK-Cu is used for firmer skin, faster wound repair, hair growth, and calmer inflammation. In a small trial after laser skin resurfacing, a topical copper peptide raised patients' own ratings of skin quality, but an objective review found no clear gain in redness or wrinkles.
- How it works
- A natural three-part peptide that carries copper, used mostly in creams. It signals skin cells to build collagen and to repair damaged tissue.
- WADA status
- Prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Drug-tested athletes cannot use it.
Copper peptide GHK-Cu (also known as GHK-Cu or Copper tripeptide-1) is a peptide studied for its effects on skin and hair, healing, and tissue repair. Naturally occurring copper tripeptide that stimulates collagen, wound healing, and hair growth. Used in cosmetics. Not FDA-approved; human trials remain small.
GHK-Cu (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper(II)) is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide found in human plasma, saliva, and urine. Plasma levels are roughly 200 ng/mL at age 20 and decline to around 80 ng/mL by age 60, a fall that parallels the body's reduced regenerative capacity with age. The peptide has very high affinity for copper(II) ions and spontaneously assembles into the GHK-Cu complex, the form that carries most of its biological activity.
Overview
Research describes roles in skin remodeling and wound healing, stimulation of collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, angiogenesis, and hair follicle stimulation.
Gene-expression studies report that GHK can shift the activity of a large number of human genes toward a healthier, younger profile.
It is used most widely as a topical cosmetic ingredient (INCI name Copper Tripeptide-1) in anti-aging and wound-care products, and is also used experimentally by injection in the research-peptide community.
GHK-Cu is not an approved drug; the strongest human data come from small topical cosmetic trials, while regenerative and protective effects beyond the skin are supported mainly by cell and animal studies.
Because it is not approved by any regulatory authority for human therapeutic use, GHK-Cu is prohibited by WADA at all times as a non-approved substance under the S0 catch-all, the same basis that captures BPC-157.
Mechanism of action
Copper-binding tripeptide that supports skin regeneration, collagen synthesis, wound healing, and hair growth, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Used topically in cosmetics; deeper effects remain investigational.
Reported effects
Effects reported in the literature and from preclinical models include:
- Preclinical studies consistently support GHK-Cu effects on matrix remodeling, epithelial repair, inflammatory and redox regulation, and angiogenesis. [4] Preclinical
- In a randomized trial of 13 patients after CO2 laser skin resurfacing, those using topical GHK-Cu skin care products reported significantly greater improvement in overall skin quality than controls. [1] Phase II
- In a randomized trial of 13 patients after CO2 laser skin resurfacing, objective evaluation found no significant benefit of topical GHK-Cu for erythema resolution, wrinkles, or overall skin quality. [1][4] Phase II
- A split-face eyebrow study in 18 participants reported positive cosmetic hair outcomes with a GHK-Cu product, though it did not define GHK-Cu speciation or local exposure. [4] Anecdotal
- Weekly intra-articular GHK-Cu injections after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in rats reduced knee laxity at six weeks, with higher graft stiffness at the lower dose, but the laxity benefit was absent at twelve weeks after dosing stopped. [2] Preclinical
- GHK-Cu reduced cigarette-smoke-induced skeletal muscle mass loss and grip-strength weakness in mice, and reversed muscle atrophy markers in cultured myotubes through binding and activating SIRT1. [3] Preclinical
Evidence grades: FDA approvedApproved (non-US)Phase IIIPhase IIPhase IPreclinicalAnecdotal
Dosage and administration
Topical
- 1-3% GHK-Cu serums or creams applied to skin or scalp
Cosmetic wound and skin formulations are the only human
- tested route
General
- Injectable use is experimental and not clinically established
Account for total copper load when combining with other copper
- containing products
Natty status
Copper peptide GHK-Cu is classified as not natty. It appears on the WADA prohibited list and is banned by major natural bodybuilding federations.[5] Use of this compound places the athlete in the enhanced category rather than the natural category in competitive contexts.
Research
The peptide has been the subject of 8 studies and reference works collected on this site. Additional bibliography is in § External links below.
Related compounds
Other peptides in this catalogue with overlapping mechanisms or status:
Frequently asked questions
What is Copper peptide GHK-Cu?
Naturally occurring copper tripeptide that stimulates collagen, wound healing, and hair growth. Used in cosmetics. Not FDA-approved; human trials remain small.
What is Copper peptide GHK-Cu used for?
Copper peptide GHK-Cu is used for firmer skin, faster wound repair, hair growth, and calmer inflammation. In a small trial after laser skin resurfacing, a topical copper peptide raised patients' own ratings of skin quality, but an objective review found no clear gain in redness or wrinkles.
How does Copper peptide GHK-Cu work?
A natural three-part peptide that carries copper, used mostly in creams. It signals skin cells to build collagen and to repair damaged tissue.
Is Copper peptide GHK-Cu natty?
No. Copper peptide GHK-Cu is classified as not natty. It is prohibited by WADA and banned by most natural bodybuilding federations. Use places an athlete in the enhanced category.
Is Copper peptide GHK-Cu banned by WADA?
Yes. Copper peptide GHK-Cu is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), so drug-tested athletes cannot use it. Check the current WADA Prohibited List before competing.
How is Copper peptide GHK-Cu administered?
Copper peptide GHK-Cu is typically administered via: topical, subcutaneous injection. Dosage and administration protocols vary; see the Dosage section for details.
References
- a b Effects of topical copper tripeptide complex on CO2 laser-resurfaced skin (RCT, Arch Facial Plast Surg 2006)
- ^ Tripeptide-copper complex GHK-Cu transiently improves tendon healing (animal model, J Orthop Res 2015)
- ^ GHK-Cu rescues cigarette-smoking-induced skeletal muscle dysfunction (preclinical, J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2023)
- a b c GHK-Cu as a Bioactive Metallopeptide and Drug-Delivery Cargo: Coordination Chemistry, Formulation Science, Therapeutic Evidence, and a Translational Roadmap. Recent review
- a b World Anti-Doping Agency. (2026). Prohibited List 2026.
External links
- Therapeutic Peptides in Aesthetic, Metabolic and Endocrine Conditions: Effects, Safety, Clinical Applications, and Future Perspectives.
- Therapeutic peptides in gerontology: mechanisms and applications for healthy aging.
- Wikipedia article
- Peptides in Regenerative Medicine: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Applications in Tissue Repair and Chronic Pain Management.
- 50mg GHK-Cu — commercial
This page was last updated on October 5, 2026, at 07:21 (UTC).
Research last reviewed on October 5, 2026.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.