GHK-Cu
GHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide-1)
Research Parameters
- Typical Dose Range
- Topical: 0.05% to 3% in research formulations. Subcutaneous: 1 to 2 mg daily (research standard).
- Half-Life
- ~30 minutes (plasma); effects persist through downstream signaling
- Administration Route
- Topical, Subcutaneous
Dosing information is for research purposes only and has not been evaluated by the FDA.
GHK-Cu is the peptide that shows up in both the bodybuilding forums and the Sephora skincare aisle, and that's not an accident. It drives collagen synthesis, which is why researchers study it for both joint and connective tissue recovery and skin quality. Your body makes it naturally, but production drops by more than half between your 20s and your 60s. That decline tracks almost perfectly with how visibly skin and connective tissue age.
The research covers wound healing, hair follicle stimulation, collagen and elastin synthesis, and antioxidant signaling. It's one of the only peptides with meaningful human data in both topical and injectable forms. Most peptides work one way or the other. GHK-Cu is also the most common add-on to BPC-157 and TB-500 recovery protocols because it supplies what the rebuilding process needs to actually rebuild with.
For research purposes only.
Mechanism of Action
GHK-Cu is a three-amino-acid peptide (glycyl-histidyl-lysine) bound to a copper ion. The copper-binding behavior is the key: it delivers copper to tissue in a form the body can actually use, where it supports collagen synthesis and regulates antioxidant gene expression. Research has identified broad modulation of genes involved in tissue regeneration and inflammation.
Citations
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is GHK-Cu used for in research?
Research studies it for collagen synthesis, skin repair, hair follicle activation, and wound healing. It's one of the only peptides with meaningful evidence in both topical and systemic research applications. For research purposes only.
- Is GHK-Cu research topical or injectable?
Both. Topical GHK-Cu has decades of dermatology research behind it; subcutaneous research is more recent and focuses on systemic tissue and anti-aging endpoints. For research purposes only.
- How does GHK-Cu compare to retinol for skin research?
Retinol is an exfoliation-and-turnover compound; GHK-Cu is a signaling peptide that upregulates collagen and antioxidant pathways. Different mechanisms, often studied in combination rather than as alternatives. For research purposes only.