Peptide

GHK-Cu (topical copper peptide)

Tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) bound to a copper ion, naturally present in human skin and decreasing with age. Used in topical cosmetics for skin aging and wound healing; it is NOT administered orally.

Regulatory status

Cosmetic and topical

FDA (U.S.): Not approved as a drug; used as a topical cosmetic ingredient. For injectable use, the FDA noted possible immunogenicity and limited human data (compounding proposal withdrawn).

EMA (EU): Not approved as a drug; cosmetic ingredient (INCI: copper tripeptide-1).

How to take it

Exclusively topical use, in creams or serums at concentrations of 0.1-2% applied once or twice a day to clean skin. In aesthetic clinics it is also injected intradermally, a medical decision.

Safety

Topical use is well tolerated: possible mild irritation in sensitive skin. Do NOT ingest. Avoid combining it with concentrated vitamin C or exfoliating acids in the same routine (may reduce its activity).

Effect by goal · level of evidence

Skin (elasticity and firmness)

improves (modest) Low review (AA)

Small improvement in small studies

2025 review of topical GHK as an anti-wrinkle agent: there are small studies, often from manufacturers, with improvements in firmness and fine lines; problems with stability and skin penetration. Independent high-quality evidence is lacking.

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Wound healing

improves (modest) Low review (A)

Stimulation of collagen synthesis

Review: GHK-Cu stimulates collagen synthesis and blood vessel formation in laboratory and animal studies. Human clinical data are preliminary.

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Information, not medical advice. Scientific evidence reflects the quality of the studies.