GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide found in human plasma. It stimulates collagen synthesis, regulates gene expression, and promotes tissue regeneration. Levels decline with age.

Can GHK-Cu be used topically?

Yes. GHK-Cu is highly effective as a topical ingredient at 0.1–2% concentration. It's one of the most validated cosmetic peptides for anti-ageing, wound healing, and hair growth.

Is injectable GHK-Cu more effective?

Injectable GHK-Cu provides systemic anti-ageing effects by reaching all tissues. Topical is superior for localised skin applications. Many researchers use both routes.

How long before results are visible?

Topical skin improvements are typically reported within 4–8 weeks. Systemic anti-ageing effects require longer protocols of 8–12 weeks.

GHK-Cu (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex, also called copper tripeptide-1) is a small tripeptide bound to a copper(II) ion. It was first isolated from human plasma in 1973 by biochemist Loren Pickart. The free peptide has a molecular weight of ~340 Da; the copper complex ~403 Da. It is studied as a research-grade regenerative signalling molecule for skin, hair, wound-healing and gene-expression work.

What does GHK-Cu actually do?

GHK-Cu is a small copper-bound tripeptide that acts as a signalling molecule for tissue regeneration in the research literature. It increases collagen and glycosaminoglycan production, promotes new blood vessel growth (VEGF / angiogenesis), dampens NF-κB-driven inflammation, raises antioxidant enzymes (glutathione, SOD, ascorbate), and modulates the expression of more than 4,000 human genes toward a more youthful, regenerative profile (Pickart et al., BioMed Research International, 2015).

How much GHK-Cu is used per day in research?

The published research literature describes topical formulations at roughly 1–10 μg per application, and subcutaneous injection studies in the 50–200 μg range, typically 2–3 times weekly. Plasma half-life of the free tripeptide is under 30 minutes, and ~95% is cleared after dermal injection. New-U publishes this as descriptive research context for laboratory work; it is not a dosing instruction for humans and nothing on this page is medical advice. GHK-Cu is supplied for research use only.

Is GHK-Cu used topically or injected?

Both routes appear in the research literature. Topical formulations target dermal fibroblasts and hair follicles directly, while subcutaneous or intramuscular injection is used when systemic tissue remodelling is the research endpoint. Importantly, only copper-complexed forms (GHK-Cu and the dimeric (GHK)₂-Cu) penetrate the stratum corneum effectively; unliganded GHK shows weaker topical activity in membrane-model studies.

GHK-Cu is an endogenous human tripeptide; your own plasma contains it (about 200 ng/mL at age 20, declining to ~80 ng/mL by age 60). In published studies it has been well tolerated at the research doses described above, with no serious systemic toxicity reported. It is, however, a research compound and not a medicine. New-U Research Compounds supplies GHK-Cu for in-vitro and preclinical laboratory research only; it makes no human-use or medical-treatment claims.

Is GHK-Cu FDA approved?

GHK-Cu is not an FDA-approved drug. It is widely used in cosmetic chemistry, where copper tripeptide-1 is permitted as an ingredient, and it is studied extensively in academic regenerative-medicine and wound-healing research. New-U supplies GHK-Cu as a research-grade lyophilised powder strictly for laboratory and research use, not for human consumption or therapeutic use.

Does GHK-Cu cause cancer?

Published research on GHK-Cu has not identified a carcinogenic signal; it is studied for tissue repair, gene-expression modulation and anti-inflammatory effects, not tumour promotion. Some literature even reports the related GHK tripeptide may help reset cancer-cell gene expression toward a more normal phenotype (Hong et al., 2012). That said, GHK-Cu is a research compound, not a medicine, and any decision about whether to study it in a given model should be guided by your institution's research-ethics framework and the current peer-reviewed literature.

Does GHK-Cu help with acne or acne scars?

Yes, in research and cosmetic-chemistry contexts. GHK-Cu suppresses NF-κB-driven inflammation, accelerates wound-bed remodelling, and stimulates dermal collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis at picomolar concentrations. Together these mechanisms support its use in studies of post-inflammatory acne marks and atrophic acne-scar remodelling. Effects are reported with sustained topical exposure rather than single-dose application.

How long does GHK-Cu take to work?

In cosmetic-chemistry studies, visible skin endpoints (texture, fine-line depth, photoaging markers) are typically measured after 4–12 weeks of sustained topical exposure. Gene-expression and fibroblast-activation effects, however, are documented within hours in vitro. Wound-healing studies in animal models show measurable remodelling within days. Timelines depend heavily on route, concentration, frequency, and the specific endpoint being measured.

Why is copper important for GHK activity?

Copper is a required cofactor for several repair enzymes including lysyl oxidase, which cross-links collagen and elastin to give skin its tensile strength. GHK binds Cu(II) with very high affinity (log K ≈ 16.44 at physiological pH) and delivers it safely into cells without triggering the Fenton-chemistry oxidative damage that free copper ions can cause. This is why copper-complexed GHK-Cu is biologically active where free GHK alone is not.

How should GHK-Cu be reconstituted?

Use bacteriostatic water for injection; the resulting solution will have a characteristic blue tint from the copper complex. Store the reconstituted vial at 1–6 °C and protect from light. Unreconstituted lyophilised powder should stay in a −20 °C freezer until use. Use within the validated stability window for the specific batch and formulation.

Where can researchers buy GHK-Cu?

New-U Research Compounds supplies GHK-Cu as a lyophilised, copper-complexed powder in 10-vial research packs at 50 mg or 100 mg per vial, independently verified at >99% HPLC purity by Janoshik Analytics and Freedom Diagnostics, with a batch-linked Certificate of Analysis. Direct-from-source pricing, discreet cold-chain shipping (6–14 days worldwide), free shipping over $300, card and cryptocurrency accepted. For research and laboratory use only.

Is GHK-Cu the same as a copper peptide serum, and which is better for research?

A retail copper peptide serum or cream is a finished consumer cosmetic: copper tripeptide-1 pre-diluted to a low percentage and blended with stabilisers, emollients and preservatives. New-U supplies the opposite: research-grade GHK-Cu as a >99% HPLC lyophilised powder with no fillers, so a laboratory sets the exact concentration, diluent and pH for its own formulation or in-vitro work. The raw compound is the correct input for research and formulation development; a finished serum is a consumer product. New-U supplies GHK-Cu for laboratory research use only and makes no cosmetic or human-use claims.

Is GHK-Cu studied for sensitive or reactive skin models?

In cosmetic-chemistry research GHK-Cu is of interest for sensitive-skin endpoints because it is active at picomolar–nanomolar concentrations and works by suppressing NF-κB-driven inflammation rather than relying on harsh actives, the same anti-inflammatory and barrier-supporting mechanisms studied for redness and reactivity. Tolerance depends entirely on the finished formulation (concentration, pH, vehicle, copper load), so these are research observations rather than a guarantee of skin tolerability. New-U supplies research-grade GHK-Cu powder strictly for laboratory and in-vitro formulation research; nothing here is a cosmetic or medical claim.

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GHK-Cu

Name: GHK-Cu
Brand: New-U Research Peptides
SKU: ghk-cu
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Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine Copper(II) - Regenerative Tripeptide

GHK-Cu (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine copper complex, log K = 16.44) is a naturally occurring tripeptide found in human plasma, saliva, and urine. First isolated by Loren Pickart in 1973, it is one of the most extensively studied regenerative peptides, with research demonstrating broad activity across collagen synthesis, wound healing, angiogenesis, and gene regulation.

>99% (HPLC) HPLC purity

403.93 Da mol. weight

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Every batch independently verified by Janoshik & Freedom Diagnostics for purity and identity.

Full COA included

Certificate of Analysis confirms peptide purity, amino acid composition, and absence of contaminants.

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Every order ships in plain, unmarked packaging with full tracking. No external branding or product details visible.

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Uniform vial presentation, consistent labeling, and batch-level documentation every time.

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Research use only. All compounds are sold strictly for in-vitro research and educational purposes. Not approved for human use, therapeutic application, or as food or cosmetic products. By purchasing, you agree to use these products only for legitimate research purposes.

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