Preclinical

GHK-Cu

Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex

Skin & Tissue Repair

GHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide best known from skin-care, wound-biology, extracellular-matrix, and hair-growth claim discussions. The strongest consumer-facing evidence is around topical cosmetic plausibility and mechanistic skin biology; broader anti-aging, systemic, injection, and hair-growth claims are more uncertain and often overstated.

Research status: Preclinical research only — no human clinical trials published

Deep Dives on GHK-Cu

Start here for the plain-English articles connected to this peptide.

Compound Profiles8 min read

What Is GHK-Cu? Copper Peptide Benefits, Skin Claims, Hair Growth, and Evidence

GHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide with real skin and wound-biology research, plausible topical cosmetic relevance, weaker hair-growth certainty, and many consumer claims that run ahead of the evidence.

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Quick Facts

Origin: Naturally occurring tripeptide GHK complexed with copper, commonly discussed in skin-care and wound-biology research
Amino acids: 3
Category: Skin & Tissue Repair

Mechanisms

Binds copper and is discussed in relation to extracellular matrix, collagen, glycosaminoglycan, and dermal fibroblast biology
Studied in wound-healing and skin-barrier/permeation contexts, with topical formulation quality affecting relevance
Hair-growth and broad systemic claims remain less settled than skin and wound-biology mechanisms

Research Areas