GHK-Cu
Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex
Skin & Pigmentation
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.
Deep Dives on GHK-Cu
Start here for the plain-English articles connected to this peptide.
Can a Frog Peptide Heal Skin Wounds? What the OL-RA11 Autophagy Study Actually Shows
A 2026 study linked OL-RA11 to macrophage autophagy, keratinocyte Wnt signaling, and faster wound repair in mice. The mechanism is coherent, but human efficacy and safety remain unknown.
Read articlePeptide Therapy Explained: What Clinics Mean, What’s Evidence-Based, and What’s Marketing
A cautious, evidence-aware guide to what peptide therapy means in clinics and marketing, how approved medicines differ from research compounds, and what questions to ask before trusting a claim.
Read articleWhat 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.
Read articleBest Peptides for Recovery: Evidence-Aware Comparison
A cautious comparison of recovery-related peptides by evidence quality, uncertainty, and claim strength — not recommendations, protocols, or buying advice.
Read articleQuick Facts
- Origin
- Naturally occurring tripeptide GHK complexed with copper, commonly discussed in skin-care and wound-biology research
- Amino acids
- 3
- Category
- Skin & Pigmentation
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