GHK-Cu
ALSO KNOWN AS · Copper tripeptide-1 · Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper
A naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide found in plasma that declines with age. It is a mainstream cosmetic ingredient with controlled topical data on skin firmness and wrinkle depth; injectable use is unstudied.
Evidence
Topical GHK-Cu creams have shown improvements in skin density, elasticity and photodamage in small controlled trials, alongside gene-expression work suggesting broad effects on collagen and antioxidant pathways.
Caution
Systemic injection introduces copper-loading concerns and has no supporting human safety data.
PRIMARY SOURCES
- 01GHK-Cu in skin regeneration— BioMed Research International
Educational reference only. Trial figures are protocol-condition means, not individual predictions. Investigational compounds are not approved medicines and have no legitimate consumer supply route.