GHK (without copper)

Also known as Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine.

Cosmetic peptide / protein ingredient for education. Cellular Sequence does not sell this as an injectable. Finished topical products, if any, are labelled as cosmetics.

At-a-glance profile

Classification: Matrikine tripeptide (copper-free)
Approval status: Cosmetic
Research status: Investigational / reference listing.
Molecular formula: Insufficient reliable evidence identified.
Molecular weight: Insufficient reliable evidence identified.
Sequence: The GHK sequence used in cosmetics; GHK-Cu is the copper complex listed separately.
Primary biological target: Insufficient reliable evidence identified.
Half-life: Insufficient reliable evidence identified.
Routes investigated: Insufficient reliable evidence identified.
Human evidence level: C — Limited or early human evidence

What is it?

A skin-care peptide fragment. Injectable ‘GHK 50 mg’ vials are not a cosmetic serum and are not sold.

Mechanism of action

Proposed extracellular-matrix signalling; copper complex is the usual cosmetic form.

Leave-on skin in cosmetics; systemic injection is not an approved use.

What is it being studied for?

Cosmetic appearance of skin

Investigational findings are not proven clinical benefits unless an authority has labelled that indication.

Evidence level

Overall human evidence grade: C · Limited or early human evidence

Human research

Cosmetic-grade evidence, not drug trials for injectables.

Preclinical research

Animal, cell and in-vitro findings are listed separately from human effects.

Matrikine literature.

Doses reported in published research

This section does not provide personalised medical dosing. Values are those reported in papers or protocols. Animal mg/kg doses are not converted to human doses.

Doses reported in human studies

Insufficient reliable evidence identified.

Preclinical / animal study dosing

Insufficient reliable evidence identified.

Pharmacokinetics

Reliable human pharmacokinetic data were not identified for this encyclopaedia entry, or are limited to product information for approved presentations.

Safety

Topical irritation; do not inject.

Unknowns. Absence of a published harm signal is not evidence of safety.

Contraindications. Not for injection.

Regulatory status

Cosmetic ingredient when used topically. Injectable research GHK is unapproved.

Cellular Sequence does not sell this as a vial, tablet, oil, or injectable. Educational encyclopaedia listing only.

Citations

[1] Encyclopaedia note
Encyclopaedia note

For educational and research reference only. This page summarises published scientific literature and does not constitute medical advice, prescribing information or a recommendation to use an investigational compound. Research doses shown describe doses reported in published studies and are not personalised dosing instructions.

Last reviewed 2026-09-13. Research areas: Skin & Hair · Compare peptides