What is GHK-Cu sold for here?

This product is sold exclusively as a laboratory chemical for research, not as a medicinal product, and is not intended for human or animal use. GHK-Cu is not an approved drug; while it is known as a cosmetic ingredient (Copper Tripeptide-1), the material offered here is intended for laboratory research.

What exactly is GHK-Cu?

GHK-Cu is the tripeptide Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine complexed with a copper(II) ion. It was described in human plasma by Loren Pickart in 1973 and also occurs naturally in saliva and urine.

How is the identity and purity of GHK-Cu confirmed?

Identity is verified by mass spectrometry, together with an HPLC purity result on the batch certificate; correct formation of the copper(II) complex is also relevant. The report is produced by Janoshik and submitted by the manufacturer; current batch values are on our CoA page.

What makes GHK-Cu interesting for research?

GHK-Cu is an endogenous copper peptide with a broad transcriptomic profile. In the Connectivity Map analysis by Pickart & Margolina (2018), GHK altered expression of 1.569 genes upward and 583 downward at a threshold of at least 50% change, predominantly in genes involved in tissue repair and inflammation regulation. These are preclinical database analyses, not evidence of efficacy in humans.

Do GHK-Cu levels in the body decline with age?

Yes. Pickart reports a decline in plasma levels from around 200 ng/ml in young adults (around age 20) to around 80 ng/ml around age 60, a decline of roughly 60%. This decline is associated with decreasing regenerative capacity; a causal relationship in humans is not proven by this.

Is GHK-Cu only relevant for skin research?

Skin research is the most advanced area, but preclinical studies also describe effects on wound healing, bone and cartilage tissue, lung tissue and liver (hair follicle data predominantly concerns related copper peptides such as AHK-Cu). These broader findings stem predominantly from cell and animal models.

What studies exist on collagen production?

In a skin study cited in Pickart's reviews, a GHK-Cu cream applied over 12 weeks was associated with improved collagen production in around 70% of treated women (around 50% under a vitamin C cream, 40% under retinoic acid). In vitro, GHK-Cu stimulates collagen synthesis in fibroblasts. This data predominantly concerns topical and in-vitro application.

What dosages have been used in research?

In skin studies, creams containing GHK-Cu were applied topically (formulation concentrations vary by study); in cell culture, concentrations in the nanomolar to micromolar range (roughly 1 nM to 1 µM) are used. Less data exists in the literature for systemic administration. Unvalidated community reports mention subcutaneous amounts in the order of 1-2 mg; these figures are self-reported and not a recommendation. No EU-approved treatment protocol for humans exists.

Why is a GHK-Cu solution blue?

The slight blue tint comes from the bound copper(II) ion and is an expected appearance, but not a substitute for an identity or purity check. Free GHK without copper has different activity than the complex.

How is GHK-Cu stored?

The lyophilized powder is stored at -20 °C. After reconstitution, it is kept refrigerated at 2-8 °C and protected from light, since the copper complex is light-sensitive. Without a batch-specific stability study, no fixed shelf life after reconstitution can be guaranteed; lab practice follows general discard conventions.

What is GHK-Cu reconstituted with?

Lab practice uses bacteriostatic water or physiological saline; the solution should show a slight blue tint. This does not establish validated compatibility or stability with GHK-Cu; the relevant protocol should specify a suitable, validated solvent.

Can GHK-Cu be combined with other peptides?

GHK-Cu and BPC-157 have predominantly been studied separately; controlled studies of their combination are not established. The GLOW and KLOW blends at PeptidesDirect already include GHK-Cu as a component. A defined added benefit of combining them over the individual substances is not established.

Is GHK-Cu an approved drug?

No. GHK-Cu does not hold EU market authorization as a medicinal product. It is known as a cosmetic ingredient, but is sold here exclusively as a research chemical.

Is buying GHK-Cu for research legal in the EU?

There is no single EU-wide category for research peptides; the legal situation depends on presentation, intended use and the national law of the relevant member state. We sell exclusively for laboratory research and not for human consumption. Check the rules with your national competent authority and your institution, seek qualified legal advice if needed, and treat this as general information, not legal advice.

How quickly is GHK-Cu delivered?

Shipping is from the EU with tracking, typically within one to four business days within the EU depending on destination country. Current transit times, countries and conditions are on our shipping page.

Does GHK-Cu affect hair growth?

Part of the often-cited hair data concerns related copper peptides (e.g. AHK-Cu and PC1031), not GHK-Cu directly. Direct preclinical evidence specific to GHK-Cu at the hair follicle is limited, and no evidence of efficacy in humans exists.

Buy GHK-Cu: Copper Peptide for Regeneration Research

GHK-Cu (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine-Copper) is a naturally occurring copper peptide first described in human plasma by Loren Pickart in 1973. It is a widely studied copper chelate in regeneration and skin research. Transcriptomic analyses (Pickart & Margolina, 2018) report that GHK influences the expression of numerous human genes, shifting their pattern toward a more regenerative profile in preclinical models.

GHK-Culongevity

Naturally occurring copper tripeptide complex for skin regeneration and anti-aging research. Stimulates collagen synthesis, accelerates wound healing, and modulates 4000+ genes. Plasma levels decline with age, making it a key target in longevity research.

What Is GHK-Cu?

GHK-Cu is a tripeptide made of three amino acids, glycine, histidine and lysine, complexed with a copper(II) ion. It has been detected in human plasma, saliva and urine.

Plasma concentration of GHK-Cu declines significantly with age:

Young adults (around 20 years): ~200 ng/ml
Older adults (around 60 years): ~80 ng/ml

This age-related decline is associated with reduced regenerative capacity. Whether the drop in GHK-Cu is merely a marker or a functional driver of aging is not established in humans and remains a research hypothesis.

Why Is GHK-Cu Studied?

Key Studies

Pickart et al. (2018, Cosmetics, MDPI): This review, "Skin Regenerative and Anti-Cancer Actions of Copper Peptides," summarizes predominantly preclinical and limited topical findings: stimulation of collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycan synthesis in skin, supported wound healing, and improved fibroblast function. The effects on scarring and tissue regeneration (skin, stomach, bone) discussed there stem from the summarized body of literature, not from a single study.

Pickart & Margolina (2018, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, PMC6073405): "Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data." In the cited Connectivity Map analysis, GHK altered expression of 1.569 genes upward and 583 genes downward at a threshold of at least 50%. Genes upregulated were mainly associated with tissue repair, stem cell activation and antioxidation, while genes downregulated were mainly associated with inflammation and fibrosis.

Collagen production (skin study): In a skin study cited in Pickart's reviews, a GHK-Cu cream applied over 12 weeks was associated with improved collagen production in around 70% of treated women, compared with around 50% under a vitamin C cream and 40% under retinoic acid.

Topical pilot data: Topical pilot investigations of copper tripeptide complexes reported increasing skin thickness, improved hydration, smoother skin and increased collagen production. These findings come from small studies of topical application.

Wound healing (animal models): In rat models, GHK-Cu was associated with stronger overall protein and collagen synthesis in wounds than placebo, a preclinical indication of accelerated extracellular matrix accumulation.

Mechanisms of Action

In preclinical models, GHK-Cu has been linked to several mechanisms:

Collagen synthesis: GHK-Cu stimulates the production of collagen type I, III and IV in fibroblasts. At the same time it promotes the controlled breakdown of damaged collagen via metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs), leading to remodeling rather than simple accumulation.
Elastin and GAG synthesis: Besides collagen, GHK-Cu stimulates the production of elastin and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which are essential for skin elasticity and hydration.
Wound healing: GHK-Cu accelerates epithelialization, promotes angiogenesis and reduces scar formation. It recruits immune cells to the wound site and stimulates the formation of new blood vessels.
Hair follicles: Part of the often-cited hair data concerns related copper peptides (e.g. AHK-Cu and PC1031), not GHK-Cu directly. In preclinical investigations, these related peptides were associated with increased follicle size and stimulated hair growth respectively; direct evidence specific to GHK-Cu at the hair follicle is largely lacking.
Gene expression: In transcriptomic analyses, GHK modulated the expression of numerous genes (at a threshold of at least 50% change, 1.569 up- and 583 downregulated). Genes activated were mainly those involved in tissue repair and stem cell recruitment, while genes dampened were mainly those linked to inflammation and fibrosis.
Antioxidant endpoints: In cell and mouse models, GHK-Cu was associated with reduced ROS formation and increased measured superoxide dismutase activity.

Quality Criteria When Buying

GHK-Cu requires specific quality characteristics:

HPLC purity: The purity value for a given batch appears on the Certificate of Analysis (see the CoA page).
Copper content: The copper(II) complex must be correctly formed. Free GHK without copper has different activity than the copper complex.
Mass spectrometry: Confirmation of the molecular mass of the GHK-Cu complex.
Batch certificate: Every batch has a Janoshik lab report (submitted by the manufacturer), viewable on the CoA page.
Color: GHK-Cu solutions typically show a slight blue tint from the copper(II) ion. This is an expected appearance, but not a substitute for an identity or purity check.

Dosages in the Research Literature

Topical application: In skin studies, creams containing GHK-Cu were applied topically over several weeks; exact formulation concentrations vary by study.

In-vitro studies: Typical concentrations in cell culture range from 10⁻⁹ to 10⁻⁶ M (1 nM to 1 µM).

Systemic use: Data on systemic administration is limited. Unvalidated community reports mention subcutaneous amounts in the order of 1-2 mg; these figures are self-reported, not collected under controlled conditions, and do not constitute a recommendation.

The topical and in-vitro figures come from the published research literature; the systemic community figures mentioned are self-reported and unvalidated. None of these figures is a dosing recommendation, and no EU-approved treatment protocol for humans exists.

Storage

GHK-Cu is supplied as a lyophilized powder:

Before reconstitution: Store at -20 °C.
After reconstitution: Store refrigerated at 2-8 °C. Without a batch-specific stability study, no fixed shelf life can be guaranteed; lab practice follows general discard conventions.
Reconstitution: Lab practice uses bacteriostatic water or physiological saline; the solution should show a slight blue tint. This does not establish validated compatibility, and the protocol should specify a suitable, validated solvent.
Light protection: GHK-Cu is light-sensitive; the copper complex can degrade under UV exposure. Store protected from light.
pH range: In a preformulation study, GHK-Cu was stable under the tested conditions across a pH range of roughly 4.5 to 7.4.

Why Buy GHK-Cu from PeptidesDirect?

Batch certificate: Janoshik lab report (submitted by the manufacturer) with purity and identity confirmation.
Bulk pack: 100 mg for extensive research projects (see product card for current price).
EU shipping: No customs or import fees for deliveries within the EU customs territory; delivery typically within one to four business days with tracking, depending on destination country.
Research-grade quality: Purity documented per batch, correctly formed copper complex.