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    • Research use only (RUO). All products are sold strictly for laboratory and research purposes — not for human or veterinary consumption. Purchasers must be 21 or older.

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    © 2026 New-U Research Compounds · new-u.io · @new.u.io

    GHK-Cu

    Pick your pack · how long it lasts

    At 10 mg/wk — select pack size

    1 × 10-vial pack required for packing — samples add on to any pack

    Lab-direct quality — full packs or single-vial samples

    Every batch ships straight from the lab that synthesises it — sealed, tamper-evident, and HPLC-verified to >99% purity with a batch-linked Certificate of Analysis. View the batch Certificate of Analysis → Buying direct means you pay the lab-direct rate on every vial, with nothing stacked on top.

    Order a full sealed 10-vial research pack for a complete study supply, or add a single-vial sample alongside your pack to trial a new compound first. Same lab, same batch, same verified purity — scaled to whatever your research needs.

    What It's Researched For

    In plain terms, GHK-Cu is studied mostly as a skin, hair and regeneration compound. Here is what that looks like across the research.

    Skin quality & collagen

    Cosmetic research studies whether it boosts collagen and reduces the look of wrinkles, roughness and sun-damage over sustained topical use.

    Hair & follicle support

    Copper-peptide studies explore larger hair follicles and a longer active growth phase in preclinical models.

    Wound healing

    Animal research examines faster repair of stubborn wounds by combining new blood-vessel growth with antioxidant effects.

    Inflammation & antioxidant defence

    Studied for calming inflammatory signalling and strengthening the skin and tissue antioxidant response.

    Tissue regeneration & ageing

    Gene-expression studies look at how it nudges age-related patterns back toward a more youthful, regenerative profile.

    Overview

    GHK-Cu is a copper-bound human tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) that modulates over 4,000 genes involved in skin regeneration, collagen synthesis, and wound repair.

    GHK-Cu is a tiny three-amino-acid peptide (glycine-histidine-lysine) bound to a single copper ion. It was first isolated from human plasma in 1973 by Loren Pickart, who noticed that the protein fraction from young liver tissue could restore youthful characteristics in aged samples. That original observation launched decades of research into copper peptides as regenerative signaling molecules.

    In the skin, GHK-Cu acts like a master reset switch. It stimulates fibroblasts to rebuild collagen and elastin, helps the body clear damaged extracellular matrix, and dampens inflammation. Plasma levels of the free tripeptide fall from roughly 200 ng/mL at age 20 to 80 ng/mL by age 60, which is why researchers are so interested in supplementing it topically or subcutaneously.

    GHK-Cu is widely studied in cosmetic chemistry, wound repair, and hair restoration research. It is supplied here as a sterile lyophilised powder for research and formulation work only.

    Mechanism of Action

    GHK-Cu shuttles copper into cells and rewires gene expression toward a pro-repair, anti-inflammatory state, stimulating collagen and blood vessel growth in the process.

    Pathway Effect Why it matters Broad gene modulation Up- or downregulates more than 4,000 human genes Nudges cells toward a younger, more regenerative expression profile Collagen & decorin synthesis Stimulates dermal fibroblasts at picomolar concentrations Rebuilds the supportive matrix that keeps skin firm and smooth NF-κB suppression Tones down the master inflammation switch Lowers cytokine and chemokine output in stressed tissue VEGF / angiogenesis Promotes new capillary growth in wound beds Delivers oxygen and nutrients to repairing tissue Antioxidant defence Raises glutathione, ascorbate and SOD in wound tissue Protects new tissue from oxidative damage during healing Copper delivery Acts as a safe shuttle for Cu(II) into cells at log K = 16.44 Supplies copper for cofactor-dependent repair enzymes without Fenton toxicity Deeper dive for scientific readers

    Pickart and colleagues (BioMed Research International, 2015) used broad-spectrum DNA microarrays to show that GHK-Cu modulates thousands of human genes, with particular enrichment in collagen, decorin, and glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis; Pickart & Margolina (Int J Mol Sci, 2018) reviewed the regenerative and protective gene-level actions in detail. Cu(II) coordinates to the imidazole N of histidine, the α-amino N of glycine, and the deprotonated amide N of the Gly-His peptide bond. Only GHK, GHK-Cu, and the dimeric (GHK)₂-Cu complex penetrate stratum-corneum model membranes, explaining why unliganded GHK shows weaker topical activity.

    Common Questions People Are Asking

    What is GHK-Cu?

    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 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 in research?

    Reported figures fall into two regimes. The published cosmetic-chemistry and wound-healing literature uses microgram amounts — roughly 1–10 μg topical per application and 50–200 μg subcutaneous, about 2–3 times weekly. Separately, injectable research/community protocols are reported in milligram amounts — around 1–2 mg per subcutaneous dose (≈5–10 mg per week). Plasma half-life of the free tripeptide is under 30 minutes and ~95% is cleared after dermal injection. New-U publishes both only as descriptive research context — not human dosing guidance; 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.

    Is GHK-Cu safe?

    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 the published cosmetic and wound-healing literature — which uses the microgram-scale topical and subcutaneous doses noted above — it has generally been well tolerated with no serious systemic toxicity reported. There are no controlled human safety trials of the larger milligram injectable protocols, so safety at those amounts is not established. GHK-Cu is a research compound, not a medicine; New-U Research Compounds supplies it for in-vitro and preclinical laboratory research only and 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 does GHK-Cu compare to minoxidil for hair research?

    They work by completely different mechanisms: minoxidil is a vasodilator that prolongs the anagen growth phase, while copper peptides like GHK-Cu are studied as signalling molecules that enlarge the hair follicle, support perifollicular angiogenesis, and dampen inflammation. Preclinical and cosmetic studies report copper-peptide effects on follicle size and the anagen phase, and the two are sometimes studied together as complementary rather than competing approaches. These are research observations only — New-U supplies GHK-Cu for laboratory research use and makes no hair-loss treatment or human-use claim.

    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.

    How much does GHK-Cu cost?

    GHK-Cu pricing is shown live on this page, per pack size — 10-vial research packs as standard, with single-vial sample options on selected compounds. Larger vial strengths lower the per-mg cost, every order includes the batch Certificate of Analysis, and shipping is free on orders over $300.

    Is GHK-Cu third-party tested?

    Yes. Every GHK-Cu batch is verified by independent laboratories (Janoshik Analytics and Freedom Diagnostics) for identity and purity, with a batch-linked Certificate of Analysis confirming >99% purity by HPLC. Every order ships with its COA, and current batch certificates are published on our COA page.

    How do I buy GHK-Cu?

    Add the GHK-Cu pack size you need to your cart and check out: enter your shipping details, then choose your payment method — cryptocurrency or card — on the next step. Every order ships with its batch Certificate of Analysis (COA). GHK-Cu is supplied strictly for laboratory research use only, not for human or veterinary use.

    What payment methods can I use to buy GHK-Cu?

    At checkout you can pay by cryptocurrency (BTC, ETH, SOL, LTC, USDC, USDT and more) or by card, each handled by a dedicated secure payment provider. You choose your method after confirming your order.

    How fast is shipping, and do you ship worldwide?

    Yes — we ship worldwide in discreet, unmarked, temperature-stable, tracked packaging. Delivery typically takes 6–14 business days, and shipping is free on orders over $300.

    Is it legal to buy GHK-Cu?

    In the United States, GHK-Cu is sold strictly for laboratory and research purposes only. It is not approved by the FDA for human consumption and is not sold for that purpose. Regulatory status varies by jurisdiction — buyers are responsible for compliance in their own region.

    Pharmacokinetics

    Half-life Free tripeptide plasma half-life < 30 min; ~95% cleared after dermal injection Absorption route Topical or subcutaneous injection (only the copper-complexed GHK-Cu and dimeric (GHK)₂-Cu cross the stratum corneum) Bioavailability Biologically active at picomolar–nanomolar concentrations; copper complexation is required for membrane penetration and activity Metabolism / clearance Rapid peptidase cleavage of the tripeptide; chelated copper released into cellular cofactor pools Stability Lyophilised: −20 °C. Reconstituted: 1–6 °C, protect from light (solution carries a characteristic blue tint from the copper complex) Notes Endogenous plasma GHK declines with age — from ~200 ng/mL at 20 to ~80 ng/mL by 60 — correlating with reduced regenerative capacity.

    Research-Observed Effects

  • Stimulates collagen I/III, decorin and glycosaminoglycan synthesis in dermal fibroblasts at picomolar concentrations
  • Modulates expression of 4,000+ human genes toward a regenerative profile (microarray; Pickart 2015 / 2018)
  • Suppresses NF-κB-driven inflammatory cytokine and chemokine output
  • Promotes VEGF-dependent angiogenesis in wound-bed tissue
  • Raises antioxidant defences (glutathione, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate) in healing tissue
  • Increases hair-follicle size and prolongs the anagen growth phase in preclinical studies
  • Reduces wrinkle depth, roughness and photoaging markers in topical cosmetic studies (sustained use)

    • Published Research Context

    Two regimes appear in the literature. The published cosmetic-chemistry and wound-healing research uses microgram amounts — roughly 1–10 μg topical per application and 50–200 μg subcutaneous — applied 2–3 times weekly. Separately, milligram-scale injectable amounts are reported in non-controlled community protocols; these are not from controlled trials. Any figures are descriptive research context only.

    New-U does not provide human dosing, administration, or protocol guidance.

    Stacking Compatibility

    Compatible compounds

  • Matrixyl (palmitoyl pentapeptide-4): Complementary collagen-signalling pathway in multi-peptide skincare research
  • Argireline (acetyl hexapeptide-8): Distinct neuromuscular mechanism — studied alongside GHK-Cu for combined cosmetic endpoints
  • BPC-157: Angiogenesis and tissue-repair pathways complementary to copper-peptide collagen remodelling

    • Avoid combinations

  • High-dose ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in the same formulation: Strong reducing agents can destabilise the Cu(II) complex; cosmetic-chemistry practice separates them into different steps

    • Side Effects (Observed in Literature)

    Common

  • Generally well tolerated in topical cosmetic studies; mild transient irritation or redness possible

    • Rare

  • Temporary blue tint at the application or injection site (copper)
  • Contact sensitisation reported rarely

    • Dose-dependent

  • No controlled human safety data exists for milligram-scale injectable protocols

    • Evidence Tier

    Overall: Mixed (human + animal)

    GHK-Cu is an endogenous human tripeptide with genuine topical/cosmetic human data and extensive in-vitro and animal evidence. Systemic injectable use is research-only and not characterised in controlled trials; GHK-Cu is not an approved drug.

    Tier 1 · Human clinical

  • Topical cosmetic clinical studies reporting reduced wrinkle depth/roughness and improved photoaging markers

    • Tier 2 · Animal

  • Wound-healing, ischaemic-wound and hair-follicle models
  • Broad-spectrum microarray gene-modulation studies (Pickart 2015; Pickart & Margolina 2018)

    • Tier 3 · Anecdotal

  • Community subcutaneous injectable use at milligram scale (uncontrolled)

    • Source References & Further Reading

    Last reviewed: 16 June 2026 · New-U Research Compounds

  • Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. Int J Mol Sci. · 2018 · PMID: 29986520 · DOI: 10.3390/ijms19071987
  • Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration. BioMed Research International. · 2015
  • PubMed: peer-reviewed literature on GHK-Cu
  • ClinicalTrials.gov: registered studies on GHK-Cu
  • GHK-Cu: Wikipedia
  • WebMD: consumer health reference
  • BBC News: Health
  • CNN Health: “Peptides: what to know about the wellness trend”
  • Sky News: “Can peptides make America healthy again?”
  • Sky News: “Inside the exploding US peptides craze” (video)
  • Sky News Australia: “Black market peptide trade explodes as influencers fuel uptick in use”
  • Sky News Australia: “Backyard peptide boom sparks alarm” (video)
  • Sky News Australia: “Oprah reveals struggle with shame of weight-loss drugs”

    • Key Characteristics

  • Three-amino-acid copper-bound tripeptide (Gly-His-Lys + Cu²⁺)
  • Originally isolated from human plasma by Loren Pickart in 1973
  • Active at picomolar to nanomolar concentrations in vitro
  • Modulates over 4,000 human genes toward a regenerative profile
  • Only copper-complexed forms cross stratum corneum efficiently
  • Used both topically and via subcutaneous injection in research
  • Stackable with Matrixyl and Argireline for multi-pathway skincare research
  • Research-grade purity: >99% HPLC

    • Specifications

    Molecular Formula C 14 H 24 CuN 6 O 4 Molecular Weight 403.93 Da (Cu complex) Sequence Gly-His-Lys (GHK) complexed with Cu²⁺ Purity >99% (HPLC) Form Lyophilised powder (blue tint from copper) Cu(II) binding constant log K = 16.44 at physiological pH Route Topical or subcutaneous injection Solubility Bacteriostatic water or sterile saline Storage Lyophilised: −20 °C freezer. Reconstituted: 1-6 °C, away from light.

    About GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide): Skin, Hair, Collagen & Regeneration Research Guide

    GHK-Cu has been studied for longer than almost any other research peptide. Loren Pickart's original 1973 observation that a small copper-binding fraction from young plasma could rejuvenate aged liver tissue launched an entire field of copper-peptide science that now spans skin biology, wound healing, hair research, and longevity studies.

    What makes GHK-Cu unusual is its breadth. Rather than targeting a single receptor, it acts on gene expression across thousands of transcripts. The net effect - more collagen, more blood vessels, less inflammation, stronger antioxidant defence - reads like a wishlist for any regenerative application. That is why you see GHK-Cu in cosmetic chemistry research, hair restoration protocols, and dermal wound-healing literature simultaneously.

    New-U Research Compounds supplies GHK-Cu as a lyophilised, copper-complexed powder verified at >99% HPLC purity by independent third-party labs. All material is strictly for in-vitro and preclinical research use. GHK-Cu is not approved as a drug, and nothing on this page is medical advice.

  • GHK-Cu - Wikipedia
  • Collagen - Wikipedia
  • Copper in health - Wikipedia
  • Wound healing - Wikipedia

    • Customer Reviews

    New-U GHK-Cu review

    My New-U Research Compounds GHK-Cu order was clean from start to finish. Easy checkout, decent updates, clear product info and secure delivery.

    — Hugo W****** · 30 June 2026

    Good support response

    I had a quick question about the GHK-Cu product page before ordering and support replied clearly. Order arrived packed well and the COA was easy to locate.

    — Ava S******* · 30 June 2026

    Good repeat order option

    The first GHK-Cu order from New-U went smoothly. Clean packaging, clear documentation and tracked delivery. Would consider them again for research stock.

    — Adam K******* · 30 June 2026

    More in Skin / Cosmetic

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    • GHK-Cu vs related Skin / Cosmetic compounds

    Compound Price Purity spec COA GHK-Cu from $39 >99% HPLC 1 published batch SNAP-8 from $35 >99% HPLC On request

    Descriptive catalog comparison for research sourcing decisions — not dosing guidance. All compounds are for laboratory research use only.

    More on GHK-Cu

  • GHK-Cu research guide
  • Buy GHK-Cu — pricing & packs

    • Research use only — not for human consumption. All products are supplied strictly for laboratory research purposes.

    © 2026 New-U Research Compounds · new-u.io — Copyright held with Hilxera Distribution Services LLC. All rights reserved.