What it is
GHK-Cu is the copper(II) complex of glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, a tripeptide found naturally in human plasma, saliva and urine. Its plasma concentration falls with age. It appears in skin biology, wound repair and extracellular matrix research.
How it works
GHK-Cu is thought to act as a copper-delivery peptide that modulates matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors. It is proposed to shift fibroblast gene expression toward collagen, decorin and glycosaminoglycan synthesis.
Regulatory status
- Cosmetic ingredient
- Research compound
- In clinical trials
- Approved medicine
Used as a topical cosmetic ingredient. Cosmetic use is not a medicinal approval, and most evidence comes from manufacturer and small panel studies.
What published research is studying
- Collagen and proteoglycan synthesis in cultured dermal fibroblasts
- Skin recovery and erythema after CO2 laser resurfacing (randomized study)
- Closure of chronic venous stasis ulcers (randomized evaluator-blinded trial)
- Reversal of an emphysema-associated gene expression signature in lung fibroblasts
Key findings
In a 13-patient randomized CO2 laser resurfacing study, blinded evaluators found no erythema or wrinkle difference at 12 weeks, though patient-rated skin quality favoured GHK-Cu (p = 0.04).
Miller TR et al., Arch Facial Plast Surg 2006In an 86-patient randomized evaluator-blinded venous stasis ulcer trial, a 0.4% tripeptide copper cream did not reduce ulcer size more than the inert vehicle.
Bishop JB et al., J Vasc Surg 1992Computational screening of an emphysema severity gene signature in 64 lung tissue samples identified GHK, which restored collagen I contraction in fibroblasts from COPD lungs.
Campbell JD et al., Genome Med 2012A 2026 systematic review of GHK-Cu in aesthetic medicine included 20 studies, of which 18 were preclinical and only 2 were randomized controlled trials.
Mokhtar J et al., Aesthet Surg J 2026
What the studies measured
Study durations
- CO2 laser resurfacing study: 12-week post-procedure follow-up in 13 patients (Miller 2006).
- Aesthetic medicine systematic review: literature searched from database inception to March 2026 (Mokhtar 2026).
Endpoints
- Blinded erythema scoring after laser resurfacing
- Investigator-rated wrinkle and overall skin quality
- Patient-reported skin quality questionnaire
- Ulcer surface area change
- Collagen I gel contraction by cultured fibroblasts
How strong is the evidence?
Most GHK-Cu data are preclinical or in vitro; the few controlled human studies are small, topical and inconsistent, and one wound trial showed no benefit over vehicle.
Common questions
Is GHK-Cu an approved medicine?
Cosmetic ingredient. Used as a topical cosmetic ingredient. Cosmetic use is not a medicinal approval, and most evidence comes from manufacturer and small panel studies.
How much human research is there on GHK-Cu?
Most GHK-Cu data are preclinical or in vitro; the few controlled human studies are small, topical and inconsistent, and one wound trial showed no benefit over vehicle.
Does UU supply GHK-Cu?
Yes, as premium-grade research material for laboratory use. Every batch is tested by an independent lab and the certificate of analysis is published.