GHK-Cu
GHK-Cu (copper tripeptide, glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex)
What is GHK-Cu?
GHK-Cu: Naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) found in plasma that declines with age (~200 ng/mL at 20 to 80 ng/mL at 60). The sources cited here most often discuss it for: Firmer skin, small cosmetic studies; Wound healing, mostly animal; Gene modulation, lab data. Evidence label: Early human.
- Type
- Peptide
- Family
- Skin, Hair & Tan
- Evidence label
- Early human (3 of 5)
- Regulatory status
- GHK-Cu for non-injectable routes was returned to FDA's 503A Category 1 (under evaluation for compounding) on May 14, 2026, with an advisory committee consult planned before the end of February 2027, while nominations for injectable use were withdrawn.
- Goals discussed
- Skin & Glow, Healing & Recovery, Longevity & Cellular Aging, Hair
- Also called
- Copper Tripeptide-1, glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, Prezatide copper acetate, Iamin, GraftCyte, PC 1020, copper peptide
- Last reviewed
- 2026-10-11
- Naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) found in plasma that declines with age (~200 ng/mL at 20 to 80 ng/mL at 60); widely used in cosmetics; not an FDA-approved drug; non-injectable GHK-Cu in FDA 503A Category 1 (2026), injectable not authorized due to immunogenicity concerns.12
GHK is the copper-free tripeptide; GHK-Cu is its copper complex, also sold as the cosmetic ingredient copper tripeptide-1.
Regulatory status GHK-Cu for non-injectable routes was returned to FDA's 503A Category 1 (under evaluation for compounding) on May 14, 2026, with an advisory committee consult planned before the end of February 2027, while nominations for injectable use were withdrawn. 3
Names as used in gyms, forums and gray-market listings. Reported, not endorsed; stacks have not been studied as combinations.
In cosmetic products, it has been found to tighten loose skin and improve elasticity, skin density, and firmness, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, reduce photodamage, and hyperpigmentation, and increase keratinocyte proliferation.
Review abstract by the peptide's discoverer and colleagues summarizing small topical cosmetic studies; it does not cover injected GHK-Cu.
What is GHK-Cu researched for?
The three outcomes most discussed for GHK-Cu in the sources below, as those sources report them. humanpeptides.fyi makes no claims of its own: a listed benefit can be unproven or can have failed in trials, and the label on each line says which.
Firmer skin, small cosmetic studies
- Skin anti-aging: placebo-controlled 12-week cream studies in women (n=41-71) improved laxity, firmness, density/thickness, fine lines and wrinkles, mottled pigmentation; increased collagen in 70% vs 50% vitamin C, 40% retinoic acidhuman, small controlled cosmetic studies, some unpublished conference data1
What do researchers and users say about GHK-Cu?
Compounded injectable drugs containing GHK-Cu may pose risk for immunogenicity due to the potential for aggregation and peptide-related impurities.
FDA safety summary for injectable GHK-Cu; FDA adds that there are limited human data to inform safety.
Suddenly it was soft to the touch, dewy, and began to look as though I was wearing foundation or using a filter perhaps to achieve this clear even skin tone.
One user's self-report of injected GHK-Cu after a rough first cycle with large injection-site welts; anecdotal.
What side effects of GHK-Cu are reported?
- Topical considered very safe in cosmetic use1
- Injections commonly cause burning, welts, bruising, itching; also acne, mood changes reportedanecdotal9
- FDA: injectable immunogenicity/impurity concerns, limited human safety data2
- Copper peptides can enlarge hair follicles, and some skincare users report slightly more facial hair.anecdotal10
- Heavy or incorrect use is suspected to raise free copper and collagen-digesting enzymes, which could worsen sagging; only anecdotal reports, no study confirms it.expert opinion, anecdotal10
- A temporary purging phase, where skin looks worse before improving, has been described with copper peptides.anecdotal11
What do peptide guides say about GHK-Cu?
- Dr. Axe Dr. Axe's library grades GHK-Cu as preclinical, noting its cited research measured collagen production in cultured fibroblasts and stating this is not evidence for an injectable skin regimen. 12
- PepEdHub PepEdHub describes GHK-Cu as a copper peptide found in plasma, saliva and urine that it says regulates over 4,000 genes, listing hair growth, scar remodeling and wound healing among its uses. 13
- Seek Peptides Seek Peptides positions GHK-Cu as its leading skin peptide, citing collagen stimulation, smoother texture, fewer wrinkles, thicker hair and anti-inflammatory effects, and discusses both topical serums and injections. 14
- NCBI PMC A 2018 review reports GHK improved tissue repair in skin, lung connective tissue, bone, liver and stomach lining in experimental models, and restored function in lung fibroblasts from people with COPD. 5
What does the research say, system by system?
Body & tissues1
- Skin (collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycans, decorin), hair follicles, GI tract, bone, lung fibroblastspreclinical1
Hormones & physiology1
- Anti-inflammatory: reduced TNF-alpha-induced IL-6 secretion in dermal fibroblasts; lowered TNF-alpha in diabetic woundsin vitro/animal1
Cells & mitochondria1
- Restored replicative vitality of irradiated fibroblasts; upregulated 47 DNA-repair genes; increased stem-cell markers (integrins, p63) in basal keratinocytes; delivers redox-silenced copper for enzymes incl. cellular respirationin vitro1
Brain, mood & sleep1
- No human data found; some Reddit users report mood changes with injectionsanecdotal8
How strong is the evidence for GHK-Cu?
Topical: small human controlled cosmetic studies + strong preclinical; injectable: anecdotal only
Small, short, old, unblinded or single-group human studies. How tiers work
Questions about GHK-Cu
What is GHK-Cu?
Naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) found in plasma that declines with age (~200 ng/mL at 20 to 80 ng/mL at 60). GHK is the copper-free tripeptide; GHK-Cu is its copper complex, also sold as the cosmetic ingredient copper tripeptide-1.
Is GHK-Cu FDA-approved?
GHK-Cu for non-injectable routes was returned to FDA's 503A Category 1 (under evaluation for compounding) on May 14, 2026, with an advisory committee consult planned before the end of February 2027, while nominations for injectable use were withdrawn.
What is GHK-Cu researched for?
The sources cited on this page most often discuss three outcomes: Firmer skin, small cosmetic studies; Wound healing, mostly animal; Gene modulation, lab data. Each line above shows what the source reports and how strong that evidence is.
What side effects of GHK-Cu are reported?
Reported in the cited sources: Topical considered very safe in cosmetic use; Injections commonly cause burning, welts, bruising, itching; also acne, mood changes reported; FDA: injectable immunogenicity/impurity concerns, limited human safety data. The list is not complete, and few listed risks does not mean a compound is safe.
How strong is the evidence for GHK-Cu?
Evidence label: Early human. Topical: small human controlled cosmetic studies + strong preclinical; injectable: anecdotal only.
What else is GHK-Cu called?
Names used for it include Copper Tripeptide-1, glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, Prezatide copper acetate, Iamin, GraftCyte, PC 1020, copper peptide.
Does humanpeptides.fyi recommend GHK-Cu?
No. humanpeptides.fyi makes no claims and no recommendations of its own. It summarizes and links to what others have published and posted. Nothing here is medical advice; talk to a licensed clinician.