GHK-Cu
Published research and evidence base
GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) is an endogenous human plasma tripeptide that binds copper(II) with high affinity. In cell culture it increases fibroblast collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis at picomolar to nanomolar concentrations, and gene-expression work reports broad modulation of extracellular-matrix, antioxidant and inflammatory programmes. Human data are limited: most published work is in vitro or in animal models, and the small number of controlled human trials of topical GHK-Cu have produced mixed results, including two randomised trials that found no advantage over comparator or placebo.
- Studies cited
- 15
- Published 2023+
- 10
- Newest paper
- 2026
- Last reviewed
- Aug 2026
Recurring themes in the literature
- collagen synthesis
- copper transport and chelation
- extracellular matrix remodelling
- glycosaminoglycan and elastin synthesis
- wound healing and re-epithelialisation
- antioxidant and anti-inflammatory gene modulation
- topical peptide skin permeation
Compound identifiers
- PubChem
- 378611
What GHK-Cu is, chemically.
- Molecular formula
- C14H24CuN6O4
- Molecular weight
- 403.92 g/mol
- PubChem CID
- 378611
Cu-GHK
These figures come from the PubChem record for this compound and describe the free base. Lyophilised peptide is normally supplied as an acetate or trifluoroacetate salt and carries residual water, so the mass of powder in a vial is not the same quantity as the molecular weight above would suggest. Chromatographic purity on a certificate of analysis does not resolve that difference either — how to read a certificate of analysis explains why.
15 published studies.
Ordered by strength of study design, then by recency. Every entry links to its source record so the finding can be checked against the paper rather than taken on our word.
- 01Systematic review2026
The Regenerative Potential of GHK-Cu in Aesthetic Medicine.
Mokhtar J, et al. · Aesthetic Surgery Journal · PRISMA systematic review, database inception to March 2026; 20 eligible studies (18 preclinical, 2 RCTs)
A systematic search identified only 20 studies of GHK-Cu as a standalone aesthetic intervention, of which 18 were preclinical and 2 were randomised controlled trials. The authors noted an absence of standardised clinical guidelines despite growing use in aesthetic practice.
- 02Human clinical2026
Peptide-enriched hydrogel formulation for sensitive and damaged skin: from design to application testing.
Milena D, et al. · Scientific Reports · formulation development plus in vitro human skin cell assays and dermatological testing in human participants
A hydrogel containing the NE1 peptide (which carries the bioactive GHK sequence) was stable and released approximately 75-80% of each peptide within the first hours. Dermatological testing in participants reported the composition to be safe; the study was designed as a cosmetic safety and application evaluation rather than an efficacy trial.
- 03Human clinical2025
Efficacy and Safety Assessment of ThriveCo Scar Fader Gel With Scarcede in the Treatment of Skin Scars.
Patel MN, et al. · Cureus · open-label, interventional, prospective real-world study in females with acne scars
An open-label study of a gel containing copper tripeptide-1 with L-carnitine L-tartrate, alpha-glucosyl hesperidin and sodium hyaluronate assessed scar appearance by Manchester Scoring Scale and skin texture by VISIOSCAN. The design had no control arm and the formulation was multi-ingredient, so GHK-Cu-specific effects cannot be isolated.
- 04Human clinical2024
An Assessment of the Safety, Efficacy, and Tolerability of a Novel Scalp Treatment Regimen Combining a Hydroxy Acid-Based Scrub and Copper Tripeptide Serum in the Management of Seborrheic Dermatitis in Adults.
Patel MN, et al. · Cureus · prospective, interventional, open-label, single-centre study in adults with mild to moderate dandruff
A regimen pairing a hydroxy-acid scalp scrub with a copper tripeptide-1 serum was evaluated for Adherent Scalp Flaking Score, corneometry-measured scalp hydration, hair thickness and hair density. The study was uncontrolled and the serum contained several additional actives.
- 05Human clinical2016
Efficacy of a Complex of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid and Glycyl-Histidyl-Lysine Peptide on Hair Growth.
Lee WJ, et al. · Annals of Dermatology · placebo-controlled trial, n=45 men with pattern hair loss, three arms, once daily for 6 months
Hair count increased by 52.6 in the high-dose arm and 71.5 in the low-dose arm versus 9.6 with placebo over 6 months, with the low-dose versus placebo ratio reaching statistical significance. No significant difference in hair length or thickness was found between groups and no adverse events were reported.
- 06Human clinical2006
Effects of topical copper tripeptide complex on CO2 laser-resurfaced skin.
Miller TR, et al. · Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery · randomised controlled trial, n=13 completers, post-CO2 laser resurfacing regimen with or without GHK-Cu, 12-week follow-up
Computer analysis and blinded evaluators found no statistically significant difference between groups in resolution of erythema, wrinkle improvement or overall skin appearance. A patient-completed questionnaire showed a significant difference favouring GHK-Cu for self-reported overall skin quality.
- 07Human clinical1992
A prospective randomized evaluator-blinded trial of two potential wound healing agents for the treatment of venous stasis ulcers.
Bishop JB, et al. · Journal of Vascular Surgery · prospective randomised evaluator-blinded trial, n=86 evaluable patients with venous stasis ulcers
A 0.4% tripeptide-copper complex cream did not differ from inert vehicle placebo in ulcer size reduction, whereas 1% silver sulfadiazine cream significantly outperformed both. This remains the largest randomised human wound-healing trial of a copper tripeptide and was negative.
- 08Animal in vivo2026
The GHK-Cu delays aging in Caenorhabditis elegans via coordinated regulation of mitochondrial function and activation of DAF-16/SKN-1 pathways.
Wen H, et al. · Biogerontology · Caenorhabditis elegans lifespan and stress-resistance assays
GHK-Cu extended lifespan in C. elegans and improved oxidative and thermal stress resistance, motility and pharyngeal pumping. The effects were linked to mitochondrial function and DAF-16/SKN-1 pathway activation.
- 09Animal in vivo2024
The glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine-Cu(2+) tripeptide complex attenuates lung inflammation and fibrosis in silicosis by targeting peroxiredoxin 6.
Bian Y, et al. · Redox Biology · crystalline-silica silicosis mouse model plus RAW264.7 alveolar macrophage cultures
GHK-Cu reduced lung inflammation and fibrosis in silicosis mice without significant systemic toxicity, and peroxiredoxin 6 was identified as a direct binding target. The findings concern lung fibrosis rather than skin.
- 10In vitro2026
Augmented Skin Beneficial Effects of Thermus Thermophilus and Bacillus Subtilis Mixed-Culture Ferment Extract by Tripeptide GHK-Cu.
Wang J, et al. · Skin Research and Technology · in vitro (LPS-stimulated macrophages), ex vivo skin, plus human application testing
The combination of a Thermus thermophilus/Bacillus subtilis ferment extract with copper tripeptide-1 inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion from LPS-stimulated macrophages more than either component alone. Effects were assessed across in vitro, ex vivo and clinical test arms.
- 11In vitro2026
A Torilis japonica Extract-GHK-Cu Complex Attenuates Th2 Cytokines and Promotes Keratinocyte Recovery: A Potential Antioxidant Strategy for Atopic Dermatitis.
Jeon S, et al. · Antioxidants (Basel) · TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma-stimulated HaCaT keratinocyte model of atopic dermatitis
A Torilis japonica extract-GHK-Cu complex reduced expression of the atopic dermatitis-associated chemokines TARC/CCL17 and CTACK in stimulated keratinocytes and supported keratinocyte recovery. The work was confined to a cell-culture model.
- 12In vitro2026
Multi-Target Restoration of Dermal Elastic Fibers Through Elastin Upregulation, Elastase Suppression, and Scaffold Reinforcement.
Ye S, et al. · Current Issues in Molecular Biology · human dermal fibroblast cultures; multi-ingredient comparison
Copper tripeptide-1 increased elastin expression and secretion in dermal fibroblasts, while ethyl ferulate inhibited elastase activity and cedrol promoted scaffold-related gene expression. The three activities were characterised as complementary rather than interchangeable.
- 13In vitro1988
Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+.
Maquart FX, et al. · FEBS Letters · cultured fibroblasts, dose-response 10^-12 to 10^-9 M
GHK-Cu stimulated collagen synthesis by fibroblasts beginning between 10^-12 and 10^-11 M and peaking at 10^-9 M, independently of any change in cell number. The authors noted a GHK triplet within the alpha-2(I) chain of type I collagen as a plausible endogenous source of the peptide.
- 14Review2025
Topically applied GHK as an anti-wrinkle peptide: Advantages, problems and prospective.
Mortazavi SM, et al. · BioImpacts · narrative review of GHK, GHK-Cu and palmitoyl-GHK for topical use
The review concluded that published information on the skin permeability, effectiveness and physicochemical behaviour of GHK-Cu and Pal-GHK is insufficient despite their widespread use in marketed anti-wrinkle products.
- 15Review2018
Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data.
Pickart L, Margolina A · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · narrative review synthesising gene-expression datasets and prior GHK-Cu literature
The review collated reports that GHK-Cu modulates large numbers of human genes involved in tissue remodelling, antioxidant defence and inflammation. It is a secondary source authored by a long-standing proponent of the peptide and is not itself experimental evidence.
What this evidence does not establish.
Controlled human evidence remains thin and inconsistent: the two largest randomised trials of topical copper tripeptide (venous ulcers 1992, post-laser skin 2006) found no significant benefit on objective endpoints, and a 2026 systematic review located only two RCTs of GHK-Cu as a standalone aesthetic intervention. Skin permeation of GHK-Cu from cosmetic vehicles is not well characterised, no dose-response for topical anti-wrinkle effect has been established in humans, and almost all positive human reports come from uncontrolled studies of multi-ingredient formulations.
Common questions about the research.
- What is GHK-Cu?
GHK-Cu is the copper complex of glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, a naturally occurring tripeptide first isolated from human plasma. It is one of the most cited compounds in extracellular-matrix and skin-model research.
- How does GHK-Cu relate to AHK-Cu?
Both are copper-binding tripeptides, but with different sequences and research focus. GHK-Cu dominates the extracellular-matrix and skin-remodelling literature, while AHK-Cu appears mainly in hair-follicle and dermal-papilla-cell models.
- How strong is the controlled human evidence for GHK-Cu?
Thin and inconsistent. A 2026 PRISMA systematic review searching from database inception located only 20 studies of GHK-Cu as a standalone aesthetic intervention, of which 18 were preclinical and 2 were randomised controlled trials. Both of the largest randomised trials were negative: a 1992 evaluator-blinded trial in 86 evaluable patients with venous stasis ulcers found a 0.4 percent tripeptide-copper cream no different from inert vehicle, while silver sulfadiazine outperformed both, and a 2006 trial in 13 completers after CO2 laser resurfacing found no significant difference in erythema resolution, wrinkle improvement or overall skin appearance.
Available from our catalog
For research purposes only. Not for human consumption, diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of any condition. Nothing on this page is medical advice, and no study summarised here should be read as a recommendation.