GHK-Cu

Classification

Naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide (cosmetic / topical research)

Approval status

Cosmetic

Research status

Cosmetic / dermatological peptide complex. Not an approved injectable medicine.

Molecular formula

C14H24N6O4 · Cu

Molecular weight

340.4 g·mol⁻¹ (tripeptide); copper complex higher

Sequence

Gly-His-Lys (GHK) coordinated with Cu(II) in the cosmetic copper-tripeptide complex

Primary biological target

Proposed: extracellular-matrix and copper-dependent enzyme pathways in skin models. Mechanism not yet fully established as a systemic drug target.

Half-life

Insufficient reliable evidence identified for systemic human PK (topical cosmetic use is local).

Routes investigated

Topical (cosmetic), In-vitro fibroblast systems

Human evidence level

C — Limited or early human evidence

A small copper-binding peptide found in human plasma and used widely in cosmetic skincare. Topical GHK-Cu is a cosmetic ingredient in Longevity Protocol serums. It is not an approved systemic medicine.

Endogenous human tripeptide fragment associated with extracellular-matrix turnover; the copper complex is used in topical cosmetics.

Proposed mechanism

Proposed mechanism: GHK-Cu is described in dermatological literature as a copper-binding tripeptide that can modulate fibroblast behaviour and extracellular-matrix related gene expression in cell and skin models. These are laboratory and cosmetic-grade observations. Mechanism not yet fully established as a registered drug pathway. Injectable use is not an approved cosmetic route.

Endogenous GHK declines with age in plasma. Topical leave-on products act at the skin surface and upper epidermis; they are not equivalent to injectable or systemic peptide medicines.

• Topical skin appearance

  C · Limited or early human evidence

  Early human and cosmetic studies have examined wrinkle appearance and skin parameters in leave-on formulas. This is not a pharmaceutical indication.^[1]

• Hair appearance

  E · Mechanistic / theoretical evidence only

  Mechanistic/theoretical and supplier-adjacent claims exist; independent pharmaceutical-grade hair-growth RCTs were not identified as a labelled indication.^[1]

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

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

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

• In-vitro: Human dermal fibroblasts / skin explants

  Preclinical studies suggest gene-expression changes related to matrix proteins. In-vitro findings are not clinical outcomes.

  Limitations: Culture conditions do not equal in-vivo dosing.

  ^[1]

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

1. Cosmetic GHK-Cu leave-on products (literature / formula reports)

   Dose: Formula-specific (often low-percentage leave-on) % w/w in finished cosmetic

   Route: Topical

   Frequency: Once or twice daily in typical cosmetic protocols

   Duration: Study-specific

   Population: Adults, topical cosmetics

   Purpose: Skin-appearance endpoints

   ^[1]

Preclinical / animal study dosing

Insufficient reliable evidence identified.

Systemic human PK after cosmetic application is not characterised like a registered injectable drug. Reliable systemic half-life data were not identified.

Topical irritation or copper-related staining is possible. Do not inject cosmetic serums.

Unknowns. Unregulated injectable GHK-Cu is a different risk profile from leave-on cosmetics.

Contraindications. Known copper hypersensitivity; caution with disrupted barrier immediately after aggressive needling. Not for injection. Not for children.

Australia — TGA

Permitted in cosmetics when formulated and advertised within cosmetic rules. Not an ARTG injectable medicine.

United States — FDA

Cosmetic ingredient use is not an NDA drug approval for injection.

European Union — EMA

Cosmetic ingredient, not a centralised peptide drug for systemic use.

1. [1] GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration

   Pickart L, Margolina A GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration Biomed Res Int. 2015. doi:10.1155/2015/648108 PMID 25960412

   PMID 25960412DOI