Peptide Info

What Is GHK-Cu? The Copper Peptide Explained

GHK-Cu is a tiny three-amino-acid peptide that holds a copper ion. It occurs naturally in human plasma, declines with age, and is one of the most studied peptides in skin research.

AussiePeptides Research Team 2 min read
GHK-Cu copper peptide 100mg vial with AussiePeptides label

GHK-Cu in plain terms

GHK-Cu is a complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (GHK) and a copper(II) ion. The peptide part has just three amino acids, and it binds copper very tightly, which is where the "Cu" comes from. You will also see it called copper peptide or copper tripeptide-1 on skincare labels, and it is also written GHK Cu or GHKCu.

Sequence
Gly-His-Lys
Length
3 amino acids
Bound metal
Copper (Cu2+)
INCI name
Copper tripeptide-1
Colour
Blue

How it was discovered

Biochemist Loren Pickart identified GHK in 1973 while studying human plasma. He noticed that a factor in the plasma of younger people made liver tissue from older donors behave more like young tissue, and traced the activity to this small peptide. Later work showed it binds copper and that the copper complex is the active form in most studies.

Commonly cited GHK levels in human plasma
  • Age 20~200 ng/mL
  • Age 60~80 ng/mL

Figures widely cited from Pickart's work. They are population averages, not reference ranges.

What does GHK-Cu do in research?

Most of what is known comes from cell culture, animal and cosmetic studies. The main areas are:

Research area What studies look at
Collagen and matrix Fibroblast production of collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans
Tissue repair models Animal wound and remodelling studies
Copper transport Delivering copper to cells in a non-toxic, bound form
Gene expression Datasets suggesting GHK shifts the activity of many genes
Antioxidant activity Effects on oxidative stress markers in cell models

That breadth is why GHK-Cu appears in topical skincare and in research blends such as GLOW (with BPC-157 and TB-500) and KLOW (which adds KPV). See GLOW vs KLOW and what is KPV.

Why GHK-Cu is blue

The copper(II) ion absorbs red and orange light, so GHK-Cu powder and solutions look blue. A clear blue solution after reconstitution is normal. Like other peptides, it is stored cold and away from light.

Topical copper peptides vs research-grade GHK-Cu

Skincare products Research-grade GHK-Cu
Form Cream or serum Lyophilised powder
Concentration Low Concentrated (50mg or 100mg vials)
Purpose Cosmetic Laboratory research
Quality document Ingredient list Verified COA with HPLC purity

We stock GHK-Cu in 50mg and 100mg vials, each ≥99% pure.

Further reading

For laboratory research use only. Not for human consumption. Not medical or legal advice.

FAQ

Common questions

What is GHK Cu?

GHK Cu (GHK-Cu) is a copper complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine. It occurs naturally in human plasma and is also known as copper tripeptide-1.

What does GHK Cu do?

In laboratory and cosmetic studies, GHK-Cu is researched for collagen production, tissue repair models, copper transport and gene expression.

What does GHKCu do differently from other peptides?

Its defining feature is copper binding. GHK carries copper into cells in a bound form, which most other research peptides do not.

Why is GHK-Cu blue?

The copper(II) ion gives GHK-Cu its blue colour. A blue powder or solution is expected.

Is GHK Cu legal in Australia?

Copper tripeptide-1 is a common cosmetic ingredient in Australian skincare. Research-grade GHK-Cu is supplied for laboratory use.

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