GHK-CU

Product details

GHK-Cu is a complex consisting of the tripeptide GHK (glycyl-histidyl-lysine) and copper (Cu).GHK was first discovered in 1973 by Dr. Loren Pickart, who found it caused older human liver tissue to produce proteins more characteristic of younger tissue.This resulted in GHK being originally described, specifically, as a liver cell growth factor. However, as research continued, experts found that GHK could modulate a number of different cells besides those in the liver.

GHK is naturally found in human saliva, plasma, and urine, but its standard levels are reduced by over half once you reach age 60. As researchers note, this decline “coincides with the noticeable decrease in regenerative capacity of an organism.” This suggests that, for example, lower natural GHK levels may contribute to things like slower wound healing in older adults.

According to experts, GHK has a “strong affinity for copper” and “readily” links up with it to form GHK-Cu. In this form, the peptide complex appears to have strong protective and regenerative properties, leading to its widespread use in cosmetics.

Most often, you’ll find GHK-Cu copper peptides (usually listed in ingredient lists under the name Copper Tripeptide-1) in various cosmetics, with skin care products being some of the most popular use cases. According to a 2018 review, GHK-Cu has demonstrated the ability to:

• Tighten loose skin
• Reverse age-related skin thinning
• Repair the skin’s protective barrier proteins
• Improve skin firmness and elasticity
• Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Smooth rough skin
• Stimulate wound healing
• Lessen the appearance of photodamage (sun damage), hyperpigmentation, skin spots, lesions, and more
• Reduce inflammation and damage from free radicals
• Increase hair growth and thickness

Additionally, in research from 2015, the authors noted that GHK-Cu may be able to stimulate collagen, regulate the skin remodeling process, attract immune cells to the site of an injury, and restore “replicative vitality to fibroblasts” (a cell that helps form connective tissue) in patients who’ve undergone radiation therapy for cancer.

To help you better understand how GHK-Cu works, we’ll break down some of the research behind the peptide’s potential applications for hair, skin, and other health aspects.

To date, no existing research has discovered any serious safety concerns with the use of GHK-Cu copper peptides.

In fact, one study noted that the peptide “has a long history of safe use in wound healing and skin care; it is naturally occurring, nontoxic, and is active at a very low nanomolar concentration.” In addition, another piece of research described GHK-Cu as “a safe, inexpensive, extensively studied compound.”

Who are GHK-Cu peptides for?

Based on both the information we learned from knowledgeable medical professionals and what researchers have suggested GHK-Cu has the potential to do, those who’d likely benefit the most from using products containing the peptide include:

People seeking an antiaging product for wrinkles, fine lines, and/or sagging skin
Those who would prefer an alternative to other, often harsh antiaging actives like tretinoin or glycolic acid
Individuals with inflammatory skin conditions (e.g., eczema, rosacea, etc.)
People looking to reduce the appearance of striae, or stretch marks
Those with scarring due to injuries, surgeries, or acne
Individuals dealing with hyperpigmentation concerns (e.g., melasma, dark spots)
Anyone seeking a proactive skin health product
People who would like to or who need to find an alternative hair growth solution
Individuals with slow-healing wounds that aren’t bedsores or due to diabetes3
Those with acne, including cystic acne