Skin & Collagen · Research Compound
GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide)
A naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide studied extensively for skin, collagen, and tissue-remodeling research.
GHK-Cu is a tripeptide (glycine-histidine-lysine) that binds copper ions, occurring naturally in human plasma where its concentration declines with age. It has one of the broadest and most independently replicated bodies of research among the copper peptides, particularly in skin, wound-healing, and gene-expression studies.
Unlike receptor-targeted peptides, GHK-Cu is studied largely for its effect on gene expression — research suggests it influences a large number of genes related to tissue remodeling and repair. The copper-binding component is central to many of its proposed mechanisms.
Research areas
Collagen & Skin Research
Decades of studies examine stimulation of collagen synthesis and effects on skin firmness and wrinkle depth in clinical and lab settings.
Wound Healing
Research explores accelerated healing of difficult wounds and antioxidant activity at the wound site.
Gene Expression Modulation
Notable for influencing expression of hundreds of genes tied to tissue remodeling, rather than acting through a single receptor.
Hair & Follicle Research
Investigated for effects on hair follicle size and growth signaling in preclinical work.
Recent research findings
- 2024Continued cosmetic-science research on topical copper-peptide formulations and measured improvements in skin parameters.
- 2023Reviews consolidated GHK-Cu's gene-modulation data and its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory profiles.
- 2022Studies further characterized copper-binding mechanisms in collagen and elastin synthesis.
Published Research & Citations
The research summarized above is drawn from published, peer-reviewed studies. Explore the 6 sources below — links open the abstract or, where marked, the full free article on the U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed / PMC).
- Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2018. Free full text Open-access review mapping GHK-Cu effects on wound healing, gene expression, and tissue regeneration.
- Mortazavi SM, et al. Topically applied GHK as an anti-wrinkle peptide: advantages, problems, and prospective. BioImpacts, 2025. Free full text Recent open-access review of GHK/GHK-Cu in skin research and topical delivery.
- Pickart L, et al. GHK and DNA: resetting the human genome to health. BioMed Research International, 2014. Free full text Reports GHK shifts expression of a large set of human genes toward a healthier state in cultured cells.
- Pickart L, et al. The human tripeptide GHK-Cu in prevention of oxidative stress and degenerative conditions of aging. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2012. Free full text Open-access review of GHK-Cu antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
- Maquart FX, et al. Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide-copper complex GHK-Cu. FEBS Letters, 1988. Foundational study showing GHK-Cu stimulates collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures.
- Pickart L, Margolina A. The human tripeptide GHK and tissue remodeling. Journal of Biomaterials Science, 2008. Reviews GHK's role in extracellular-matrix remodeling and tissue repair.