GHK-Cu

Also called copper tripeptide-1, prezatide copper, copper peptide

By MoveWell Research Team Updated November 1, 2026
2D structure of GHK-Cu: glycine, histidine and lysine bound to a copper ion
GHK-Cu molecular structureFull structure and downloads
Evidence3/5Limited human, for skin only
Status nowTopical GHK-Cu is a cosmetic and sits in FDA's Category 1, so licensed pharmacies can compound it. Injectable GHK-Cu has no category and no legal compounding path.
LatestOctober 28, 2026: HHS let pharmacies compound six other peptides (BPC-157, TB-500 and four more). GHK-Cu was not included, and blends like GLOW were excluded.
NextFDA's compounding advisory committee reviews injectable GHK-Cu by end of February 2027. No date set. Full history

GHK-Cu is a three-amino-acid peptide that carries a copper ion. On skin, one published trial and several industry studies show modest gains in wrinkles and firmness over 8 to 12 weeks. For hair, the only GHK-Cu trial we found is one small eyebrow study. Claims for injury recovery and injected "whole-body" use rest on lab and animal work only.

Used in these stacks GLOW KLOW GHK-Cu + microneedling GHK-Cu + red light

Related copper peptide: AHK-Cu, the one actually tested in the hair study people cite for GHK-Cu

In this guide
  1. Status and summary
  2. At a glance
  3. Where to get it
  4. Molecular structure
  5. What it is
  6. How it works
  7. Evidence map
  8. Topical or injectable
  9. How it's used
  10. Side effects
  11. Compared with
  12. Stacks
  13. Myths vs evidence
  14. All options and prices
  15. Legal status history
  16. FAQ
  17. References

At a glance

What it isGlycine–histidine–lysine bound to one copper ion; occurs naturally in human blood
Sold asCosmetic serums and creams (label name: copper tripeptide-1); compounded prescription creams
Best evidenceTopical skin aging (1 published RCT, n=40) and diabetic foot ulcers (1 RCT, 1994)
No human evidence forScalp-hair growth with GHK-Cu itself (one trial used a copper-free GHK complex; the only GHK-Cu hair trial we found was a small eyebrow study), tendon or ligament healing, injected use of any kind
Time to resultsSkin trials measured at 8 to 12 weeks
Main risksSkin irritation (topical). Unknown for injection, which FDA flags for immune reactions and impurities
Typical cost$23 to $69 for a cosmetic serum; from $55 per 30 g for compounded creams

Where to get it

MoveWell sells no peptides. All options and prices

Most proven, no prescriptionCosmetic serum

Pick one that discloses its strength. Neurogan and Peach & Lily state theirs; many don't.

Compare 8 serums
Prescription, compoundedCompounded cream

Superpower, Enhanced and Trinova offer GHK-Cu creams after a clinician review, from $55 per 30 g.

Compare providers
Not recommendedInjectable vials

No legal compounding path and no human data. "Research use only" vials aren't tested for people.

Why

Molecular structure

Three amino acids folded around one copper ion, held by three nitrogens. That copper is why GHK-Cu solutions are blue.

GHK-Cu molecular structure: glycine, histidine and lysine with a copper ion bound by three nitrogen atoms

Copper and the three nitrogens that bind it

GGlyHHisKLysCu2+
Sequence
Gly-His-Lys
Formula
C14H22CuN6O4
Weight
≈401.9 g/mol
Peptide alone
C14H24N6O4, 340.4 g/mol
CAS
89030-95-5
FDA UNII
6BJQ43T1I9
PubChem
10111685 · GHK 73587
EU CosIng
Ref 55687

Drawn from the FDA-registered form of prezatide copper; weight calculated from the formula.28

What it is

Loren Pickart first isolated GHK from human blood in 1973, while studying why serum from younger people helped liver cells survive.1 Its sequence was confirmed as glycine-histidine-lysine in 1977,2 and in 1980 his group showed it binds copper tightly and helps move copper into cells.3

The same sequence sits inside type I collagen, and one theory holds that it is released when collagen breaks down at a wound, acting as a repair signal.6 Pickart's reviews report blood levels of about 200 ng/mL at age 20 falling to about 80 ng/mL by 60, though they cite no original measurement.4

Commercial GHK-Cu is made synthetically, not extracted from blood. A close cousin, AHK-Cu, swaps glycine for alanine and is sold mainly for hair.

How it works

Almost everything known about the mechanism comes from cell cultures and rats.

  • Collagen. In skin cells, collagen production started rising at vanishingly low doses and peaked around one nanomolar.6 In lab and animal work it built up collagen and glycosaminoglycans.7, 8
  • Remodeling. It shifts the enzymes that break down and rebuild tissue (MMP-2, MMP-9) and their inhibitors.9, 10
  • Copper delivery. Enzymes that cross-link collagen and neutralize free radicals need copper; GHK carries it in a form that can't cause oxidative damage.3, 5
  • Gene activity. A reanalysis of a public database of drug effects on cancer cell lines found GHK changed about 31% of genes by at least 50%.4 That is a computational result from cell lines, not a measurement in human tissue.

Evidence map

Each claimed use is graded separately, because the evidence differs sharply by use.

Skin aging, topical

Limited human: 1 published RCT (n=40) plus conference abstracts

Wound healing, topical

Limited human: 1 diabetic ulcer RCT (1994); a 60-person trial is recruiting

Tendon and ligament

Animal only: 1 rat study, benefit gone by 12 weeks

Injected or systemic use

Animal and lab only: no human study of any injected dose

Hair growth (scalp)

Essentially none for scalp hair: the cited study tested AHK-Cu, a different peptide. One small 2026 eyebrow trial (n=18) reported more hairs33

Scale: 5 FDA-approved, 4 strong human, 3 limited human, 2 animal or lab only, 1 anecdotal

Key studies

UseStudyModelFinding
SkinBadenhorst 201611Human RCT n=40Wrinkle volume −55.8% vs plain serum at 8 weeks; also beat Matrixyl 3000
SkinLeyden 200212Human n=71, 41Face and eye creams improved fine lines and density over 12 weeks (conference abstracts)
SkinFinkley 200512Human n=67Firmness, lines and pigmentation improved at 12 weeks (book chapter)
SkinAbdulghani 199812Human biopsyCollagen rose in 70% of sites vs 50% for vitamin C and 40% for retinoic acid (small, not fully peer-reviewed)
WoundMulder 199413Human RCT diabetic ulcersMedian closure 98.5% vs 60.8%; infection 7% vs 34%
WoundNCT0743758614Human RCT n=600.1% gel on acute wounds; recruiting, no results yet
WoundMaquart 19938RatMore collagen and tissue in wound chambers
LigamentFu 201516Rat n=72Knee injections after ACL repair: less laxity at 6 weeks, none by 12; graft strength unchanged
LungPark 201617MouseLess lung inflammation in an induced-injury model
LungCampbell 201218Lab lung cellsRestored repair behavior in cells from emphysema patients
NerveAhmed 200519RatMore nerve growth factors and axons in collagen nerve tubes
HairPyo 200715Lab scalp folliclesFollicles grew longer, but with AHK-Cu, not GHK-Cu
HairBo 202633Human RCT n=18, split-face2% serum on one eyebrow, placebo on the other, for 12 weeks: hair count rose significantly from baseline on the treated side only. Eyebrows, not scalp

Much of the human skin evidence was run or funded by industry, and the main reviews come from the discoverer's own group.4, 5

Topical or injectable

Pick your goal to see what the evidence supports.

TopicalInjectable
Legal statusCosmetic; compounding allowed under Category 1No FDA compounding path; sold mostly as "research use only"
Human evidenceSmall trials for skin and woundsNone
Where it actsSkin where appliedClaimed whole-body; unproven
Known risksIrritationUnknown; FDA cites immune reactions and impurities
Cost$23 to $69 per bottle; from $55 per 30 g compoundedNo legal source to price

How it's used

Topical

Serums and creams are applied once or twice a day. The skin trials ran 8 to 12 weeks, so judge results at that point, not after a few days.11, 12

Labeled strength is hard to compare. Products state anywhere from 0.1% to 4%, and "1%" often means 1% of a raw-material solution, not pure peptide. The safety panel noted cosmetic use is typically below 10 parts per million.20

Injectable

No human study has tested any injected dose. Clinics and online guides describe protocols such as 1 to 3 mg under the skin two or three times a week in 8- to 12-week cycles; those numbers come from practice, not trials.27 Even the discoverer's own reviews suggest human doses that differ by several thousand times, from about 35 µg to 100–200 mg.4, 5 We report these as information, not instruction.

Side effects and who should avoid it

  • Topical. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel found it safe as used in cosmetics.20 Mild irritation or redness is the usual complaint.
  • Injectable. FDA says compounded injectable GHK-Cu may trigger immune reactions from aggregation and impurities, and human safety data are limited.21 Gray-market vials add contamination and dosing risks.
  • Copper disorders. People with Wilson's disease or a copper allergy are usually told to avoid it. This is a precaution; it has not been studied.
  • Cancer. GHK promotes blood-vessel growth and was first noted for stimulating liver tumor cells in culture;1 other lab work suggests anti-tumor gene effects.4 No clinical data exist either way. Anyone with active cancer should ask their oncologist.
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding. No data.

Compared with

GHK-CuAHK-CuTretinoinMatrixyl
StatusCosmeticCosmeticPrescription drugCosmetic
Main useSkinHairWrinkles, acneSkin
Human evidenceLimitedNone foundStrongestSmall cosmetic trials
IrritationLowLowCommon at firstLow

GHK-Cu beat Matrixyl 3000 on wrinkle volume in one RCT;11 one small biopsy study found more new collagen than with vitamin C or retinoic acid.12

Stacks

Only one GHK-Cu combination has been tested, and it disappointed. The rest are untested.

GLOW

Marketing only
GHK-CuBPC-157TB-500

No study of the blend. Pre-mixed vials fall outside the Oct 2026 compounding policy, and injectable GHK-Cu has no path at all.

KLOW

Marketing only
GHK-CuBPC-157TB-500KPV

Same as GLOW. Under the 2026 policy KPV is allowed only topically or by mouth.

GHK-Cu + microneedling

Tested, small
1% GHK-Cu1.5 mm roller

One non-randomized trial (n=40, acne scars): the copper group scored worse at baseline and week 3 and was no different from needling alone from week 6 on, with and dark spots in 8 of 20 vs 0 of 20, which faded later.31 Cosmetic serums also aren't sterile products made to go under the skin.

GHK-Cu + red light

Marketing only
topical GHK-CuLED therapy

The most-shared article promoting it cites no studies. See our red light therapy guide.

Myths vs evidence

ClaimGHK-Cu reverses aging at the cellular level
EvidenceNo study shows this. Human data show modest skin changes over 8 to 12 weeks.
ClaimIt regulates a third of your genes
EvidenceA reanalysis of cancer cell-line data found about 31% of genes changed by 50% or more. Never measured in human tissue.4
ClaimProven to regrow hair
EvidenceThe study usually cited tested AHK-Cu, a different peptide, on follicles in a dish.15 We found no scalp-hair trial of GHK-Cu; a 2016 trial in 45 men used a copper-free GHK complex with 5-ALA, so it doesn't test GHK-Cu.32 One small 2026 randomized, double-blind, split-face trial (n=18) of a 2% GHK-Cu serum on the eyebrows reported a significant rise in hair count from baseline on the treated side at 12 weeks, with no significant change on the placebo side.33
ClaimInjectable works better than topical
EvidenceThere is no human data on injected GHK-Cu, so there's nothing to compare.
ClaimIt's derived from human plasma
EvidenceIt was discovered in plasma. Products contain synthetic GHK-Cu.

All options and prices

MoveWell sells no peptides. Prescription options first, then cosmetics by disclosed strength. Prices checked Oct–Nov 2026

Compounded prescription creams

ProviderFormPriceConsult
Superpower0.5% GHK-Cu creamMembers only ($17/mo membership); product price not shownQuestionnaire and physician review
EnhancedCream, up to 10 mg per applicationPrice not publishedClinician consult
Trinova HealthMulti-ingredient cream with GHK-CuFrom $55 per 30 gOnline evaluation

Over-the-counter cosmetics

ProductStated strengthSizePrice
Neurogan GHK-Cu Hair & Scalp Serum"4%" (2,400 mg per bottle)60 mL$60
Neurogan GHK-Cu Face & Neck Serum"4%" (1,200 mg)30 mL$45
NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 3Not on label (third-party estimate 4–5%)15 / 30 mLTo confirm
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1%"1%" (undefined)30 mL$32
Peach & Lily Copper Peptide Pro Firming Serum0.2%30 mL$49
Good Molecules Copper Peptide Serum0.1%30 mLTo confirm
Biossance Squalane + Copper Peptide SerumNot disclosed50 mL$69
Provence Beauty Dew Beaucoup Copper Peptide SerumNot disclosed30 mL$23

Left off: products sold as "copper peptides" that contain other copper compounds (one popular serum uses soy protein plus copper chloride), and Drunk Elephant Protini and Medik8 Copper PCA, which contain no GHK-Cu

Injectable GHK-Cu

There's no FDA compounding path for injectable GHK-Cu, so we don't list sellers. Vials sold "for research use only" aren't tested for human use; in August 2026 FDA warned sellers that the label doesn't excuse products clearly meant for people.30

FAQ

Does topical GHK-Cu work?

Modestly, on the evidence available. One 40-person randomized trial found less wrinkle volume after 8 weeks, and older industry studies point the same way. Prescription tretinoin is better proven.

Why is GHK-Cu blue?

The copper ion. Copper(II) complexes absorb red-orange light, so solutions and powders look blue. A product that isn't blue may contain very little GHK-Cu or a different copper compound.

Can I use it with vitamin C or acids?

Skincare guides often say to separate them because acids and vitamin C may destabilize the copper complex. We found no study testing whether it matters on skin. Using them at different times of day avoids the question.

Does it help hair loss?

We found no scalp-hair trial of GHK-Cu. The often-cited hair study tested AHK-Cu. One small 2026 randomized, double-blind, split-face trial (n=18) of a 2% GHK-Cu serum on the eyebrows reported a significant rise in hair count from baseline on the treated side at 12 weeks, with no significant change on the placebo side. Minoxidil and finasteride have the evidence for hair loss.

Is GHK-Cu legal?

Yes as a cosmetic, and pharmacies can compound topical versions. Injectable GHK-Cu has no compounding path. FDA's advisory committee reviews it by February 2027, but a vote alone doesn't create one; that takes a rule or a policy like the October 2026 HHS one.

How long until I see results?

The skin trials measured results at 8 to 12 weeks of daily use.

Is it safe?

Topically, a safety panel found it safe at cosmetic concentrations. Injected, nobody knows; there are no human safety data.

Is it the same as copper tripeptide-1?

Yes. Copper tripeptide-1 is the ingredient name on cosmetic labels.

What's the difference between GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu?

One amino acid: AHK-Cu has alanine where GHK-Cu has glycine. AHK-Cu is marketed for hair; see our AHK-Cu guide.

What does BPC-157 have to do with it?

They're often sold together in GLOW blends. The blend has never been studied, and pre-mixed vials fall outside FDA's 2026 compounding policy.

References

33 sources, with links
  1. Pickart L, Thaler MM. Tripeptide in human serum which prolongs survival of normal liver cells and stimulates growth in neoplastic liver. Nature New Biology 1973;243:85–87. Record
  2. Schlesinger DH, Pickart L, Thaler MM. Growth-modulating serum tripeptide is glycyl-histidyl-lysine. Experientia 1977;33:324–5. PMID 858356
  3. Pickart L et al. Growth-modulating plasma tripeptide may function by facilitating copper uptake into cells. Nature 1980;288:715–717. Link
  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;19:1987. DOI 10.3390/ijms19071987
  5. Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. GHK peptide as a natural modulator of multiple cellular pathways in skin regeneration. BioMed Res Int 2015:648108. PMC4508379
  6. Maquart FX et al. Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide-copper complex GHK-Cu. FEBS Lett 1988;238:343–6. DOI
  7. Wegrowski Y et al. Stimulation of sulfated glycosaminoglycan synthesis by GHK-Cu. Life Sci 1992;51:1049–56. DOI
  8. Maquart FX et al. In vivo stimulation of connective tissue accumulation by GHK-Cu in rat experimental wounds. J Clin Invest 1993;92:2368–76. PMC288419
  9. Siméon A et al. Expression and activation of matrix metalloproteinases in wounds: modulation by GHK-Cu. J Invest Dermatol 1999;112:957–64. PMID 10383745
  10. Siméon A et al. Fibroblast–cytokine–extracellular matrix interactions in wound repair. Life Sci 2000;67:2257–65. PMID 11045606
  11. Badenhorst T et al. Effects of GHK-Cu on MMP and TIMP expression, collagen and elastin production, and facial wrinkle parameters. J Aging Sci 2016;4:166. DOI 10.4172/2329-8847.1000166
  12. Leyden J et al. (AAD 2002 abstracts); Abdulghani A et al. (1998); Finkley M et al. (2005), as described in reference 5. Not peer-reviewed full papers.
  13. Mulder GD et al. Enhanced healing of ulcers in patients with diabetes by topical treatment with glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine copper. Wound Repair Regen 1994;2:259–69. DOI
  14. Topical GHK-Cu Gel for Acute Skin Wound Healing. NCT07437586
  15. Pyo HK et al. The effect of tripeptide-copper complex on human hair growth in vitro. Arch Pharm Res 2007;30:834–9. DOI (tested AHK-Cu)
  16. Fu SC et al. Tripeptide-copper complex GHK-Cu (II) transiently improved healing outcome in a rat model of ACL reconstruction. J Orthop Res 2015. DOI 10.1002/jor.22831
  17. Park JR et al. The tripeptide GHK-Cu complex ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice. Oncotarget 2016;7:58405–17. DOI
  18. Campbell JD et al. A gene expression signature of emphysema-related lung destruction and its reversal by the tripeptide GHK. Genome Med 2012;4:67. DOI
  19. Ahmed MR et al. Effect of GHK-Cu incorporated collagen nerve tubes on peripheral nerve regeneration in rats. J Peripher Nerv Syst 2005;10:17–30, as described in reference 4.
  20. Johnson W et al. Safety assessment of tripeptide-1, hexapeptide-12, their metal salts and fatty acyl derivatives, and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 as used in cosmetics. Int J Toxicol 2018;37(3 suppl):90S–102S. DOI
  21. FDA. Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks. fda.gov
  22. FDA 503A categories update, September 2023 (copy via A4PC). PDF
  23. FDA. Bulk drug substances nominated for use in compounding under 503A, categories list (updated May 14, 2026). fda.gov
  24. FDA. Bulk drug substances used in compounding under section 503A. fda.gov
  25. FDA. Meeting of the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee (before end of Feb 2027). fda.gov
  26. BakerHostetler. HHS issues enforcement discretion policy regarding 503A compounding using certain peptide bulk drug substances (Oct 2026). Link
  27. Healing Maps. GHK-Cu: The 2026 copper peptide guide (reported clinic protocols). Link
  28. FDA GSRS. Prezatide copper, UNII 6BJQ43T1I9. Link
  29. EU CosIng, copper tripeptide-1, ref 55687 (via mirror). Link
  30. Holland & Knight. Peptides at a crossroads: what wellness providers need to know (Oct 2026). Link
  31. Vignesh NR et al. A study comparing the effect of dermaroller versus dermaroller with copper peptide in the management of acne scars. J Cutan Aesthet Surg 2026;19(2):149–57. DOI 10.25259/JCAS_56_2025
  32. Lee WJ et al. Efficacy of a complex containing GHK and 5-aminolevulinic acid on hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia. Ann Dermatol 2016. Copper-free; tests a different product.
  33. Bo SL, Nararatwanchai T, Suppornpun N, Poomarapan K, Thaploka S. The efficacy of 2% copper peptide (GHK-Cu) serum for eyebrow hypotrichosis (vehicle-controlled, split-face). Procedia of Multidisciplinary Research 2026;4(5). Link

This page is for education and is not medical advice. GHK-Cu is not FDA-approved as a drug. Talk to a clinician before using any peptide, especially by injection.