GHK-Cu
Copper peptide, GHK
The best human evidence of any ‘cosmetic’ peptide — but topically, not injected.
What it is
A naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) present in human plasma, with levels declining with age.
What it does
Studied for effects on collagen synthesis, wound repair and skin appearance; copper delivery appears central to its activity.
Does it work?
Topical GHK-Cu has genuine peer-reviewed human cosmetic data and appears in mainstream skincare. Injected use is a different question with far less evidence behind it — the two should not be conflated.
Claims vs data
Each marketing claim, tagged by what the evidence actually supports.
| Improves skin appearance (topical) | supported |
| Stimulates collagen | partially true |
| Injected equals topical benefit | weak evidence |
Reference figures
Quoted from published reference material. These are not Peptuity recommendations.
The evidence, counted
Live counts from Europe PMC and ClinicalTrials.gov.
179 publications indexed, but only 2 randomised controlled trials and 3 registered interventional studies. Human evidence exists but is thin.
query: "GHK-Cu" · checked 2026-08-07
Most-cited literature
-
Dissecting the Crosstalk Between Nrf2 and NF-κB Response Pathways in Drug-Induced Toxicity
Gao W, Guo L, Yang Y, Wang Y, Xia S, Gong H, Zhang BK, Yan M. · Front Cell Dev Biol 2021 · 231 citations
-
Self-Assembling Peptide-Based Hydrogels for Wound Tissue Repair
Guan T, Li J, Chen C, Liu Y. · Adv Sci (Weinh) 2022 · 202 citations
-
Redox chemistry of copper-amyloid-beta: the generation of hydroxyl radical in the presence of ascorbate is linked to redox-potentials and aggregation state
Guilloreau L, Combalbert S, Sournia-Saquet A, Mazarguil H, Faller P. · Chembiochem 2007 · 189 citations
-
Bioactivities, Applications, Safety, and Health Benefits of Bioactive Peptides From Food and By-Products: A Review
Zaky AA, Simal-Gandara J, Eun JB, Shim JH, Abd El-Aty AM. · Front Nutr 2021 · 186 citations
Regulatory status
Formal, dated regulatory actions.
WADA — Prohibited List 2026
Prohibited in sport — WADA S0 (substance without any health-authority approval)
Common questions
Does topical GHK-Cu actually work for skin?
Topical use has genuine peer-reviewed human cosmetic data — the best of any cosmetic peptide we track — and appears in mainstream skincare.
Is injecting GHK-Cu better than applying it?
That is unproven. The human evidence base is topical; injected use is a different question with far less data, and the two should not be conflated.
Why does it contain copper?
The tripeptide binds a copper ion, and copper delivery to tissue appears central to its activity in collagen and repair pathways.
Related compounds
GLOW blend
A vendor blend of GHK-Cu, BPC-157 and TB-500 — not a studied product.
KLOW blend
GLOW plus KPV. Same caveat: a vendor formulation, not a studied entity.
Melanotan I
Melanocortin agonist; the regulated version (afamelanotide) is approved for a rare condition.