--- title: "GHK-Cu: what sources report" url: https://humanpeptides.fyi/peptides/ghk-cu site: humanpeptides.fyi last_reviewed: 2026-10-11 --- # GHK-Cu > humanpeptides.fyi makes no claims of its own. Every statement below reports what a cited source says, with its link. Not medical advice. 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. ## At a glance - **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with an advisory committee consult planned before the end of February 2027, while nominations for injectable use were withdrawn.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 ## 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); 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. Sources: , 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with an advisory committee consult planned before the end of February 2027, while nominations for injectable use were withdrawn. Source: ## What is GHK-Cu researched for? ### 1. 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increased collagen in 70% vs 50% vitamin C, 40% retinoic acid (human, small controlled cosmetic studies, some unpublished conference data) Sources: - Goals: [Skin & Glow](https://humanpeptides.fyi/objectives/skin) ### 2. Wound healing, mostly animal - Wound healing: accelerated wound closure, angiogenesis and antioxidant enzymes in rabbits, rats, pigs, dogs; improved diabetic/ischemic wounds (animal); Phase 2 topical gel wound trial registered Sources: , - Goals: [Healing & Recovery](https://humanpeptides.fyi/objectives/healing), [Skin & Glow](https://humanpeptides.fyi/objectives/skin) ### 3. Gene modulation, lab data - Broad gene modulation: affects ~31% of human genes (>=50% change), including DNA-repair, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory genes; reversed COPD emphysema gene signature in lung fibroblasts (gene-expression/in vitro) Sources: , - Goals: [Longevity & Cellular Aging](https://humanpeptides.fyi/objectives/longevity), [Hair](https://humanpeptides.fyi/objectives/hair) ## What do researchers and users say about GHK-Cu? > "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." > > Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A, GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration (BioMed Research International, 2015). Context: Review abstract by the peptide's discoverer and colleagues summarizing small topical cosmetic studies; it does not cover injected GHK-Cu. > "Compounded injectable drugs containing GHK-Cu may pose risk for immunogenicity due to the potential for aggregation and peptide-related impurities." > > US Food and Drug Administration, Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks. Context: 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." > > Anonymous user, r/Peptidesource, Wanted to love ghkcu. Context: 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 use Sources: - Injections commonly cause burning, welts, bruising, itching; also acne, mood changes reported (anecdotal) Sources: - FDA: injectable immunogenicity/impurity concerns, limited human safety data Sources: - Copper peptides can enlarge hair follicles, and some skincare users report slightly more facial hair. (anecdotal) Sources: - 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, anecdotal) Sources: - A temporary purging phase, where skin looks worse before improving, has been described with copper peptides. (anecdotal) Sources: ## 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. - **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. - **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. - **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. ## What does the research say, system by system? ### Body & tissues - Skin (collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycans, decorin), hair follicles, GI tract, bone, lung fibroblasts (preclinical) Sources: ### Hormones & physiology - Anti-inflammatory: reduced TNF-alpha-induced IL-6 secretion in dermal fibroblasts; lowered TNF-alpha in diabetic wounds (in vitro/animal) Sources: ### Cells & mitochondria - 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 respiration (in vitro) Sources: ### Brain, mood & sleep - No human data found; some Reddit users report mood changes with injections (anecdotal) Sources: ### Also notable - Hair: GHK-Cu stimulates follicle size/stem cells (preclinical) Sources: - Users report skin texture/glow and hair thickening with injections, others no benefit (anecdotal) Sources: - Aesthetic-medicine systematic review (2026) found only two RCTs Sources: ## How strong is the evidence for GHK-Cu? **Early human** (3 of 5). Topical: small human controlled cosmetic studies + strong preclinical; injectable: anecdotal only _Small, short, old, unblinded or single-group human studies._ ## Street names and stacks - Street names: [The Copper Peptide](https://humanpeptides.fyi/street-names#nick-copper) - Appears in community stacks: [The Fountain of Youth Stack](https://humanpeptides.fyi/street-names#fountain-of-youth) ## 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. --- Family: [Skin, Hair & Tan](https://humanpeptides.fyi/peptides?cat=aesthetic). HTML version: . Disclaimer: