The Receipt
- 01Interesting biology, limited cosmetic trials.
- 02Gentle and reasonable to try; skip injections.
Education, not a diagnosis. If something changes quickly, hurts, bleeds, or worries you, see a dermatologist.
Ingredient Receipt · Peptides
Copper peptides (GHK-Cu)
INCI: Copper Tripeptide-1
Copper tripeptide-1, better known as GHK-Cu, is a naturally occurring carrier peptide. What it does in lab and wound studies, and how much of that shows up in a serum.
- Lines & firmness
- Barrier
01 · In plain English
GHK-Cu is a tiny peptide that binds copper. It's found in the body, falls with age, and is now one of the most searched skincare actives.
02 · What it does
In lab and animal studies, GHK-Cu supports wound repair, collagen and glycosaminoglycan production and antioxidant defenses, and gene studies suggest it influences many repair pathways.
Human trials of cosmetic copper peptide creams are few, small and mostly older. They suggest modest improvements in texture and fine lines.
03 · Who it’s for
- People wanting a gentle add-on for firmness and texture.
- Sensitive skin that doesn't tolerate retinoids, after a patch test.
04 · What the evidence says
- Modest improvement in skin texture and fine lines.limited evidence
- Hair regrowth.insufficient evidence
05 · Insufficient evidence
- Copper peptides matching retinoids.
- Injected GHK-Cu for skin; the FDA has flagged safety concerns.
06 · How to use it
- Once daily in a serum, before moisturizer.
- Keep strong acids and vitamin C for a different time of day.
07 · Pairs well / go carefully
Pairs well with
- Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, moisturizers, retinoids (if tolerated).
Go carefully with
- Strong AHA/BHA in the same routine.
- Vitamin C in the same step (theoretical; split to be safe).
Questions people ask
- Is GHK-Cu the same as copper peptides?
- Yes. GHK-Cu is the copper complex of the peptide GHK, listed on labels as copper tripeptide-1.
Sources (4)
- Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and protective actions of the GHK-Cu peptide in the light of the new gene data. Int J Mol Sci. 2018.
- Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. GHK peptide as a natural modulator of multiple cellular pathways in skin regeneration. Biomed Res Int. 2015.
- Gorouhi F, Maibach HI. Role of topical peptides in preventing or treating aged skin. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2009.
- U.S. FDA. Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks (includes GHK-Cu for injectable routes).