Library / Skin and hair

GHK-Cu

Also known as Copper peptide, Copper tripeptide-1, Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper

Human trials

Naturally occurring copper binding tripeptide used in skin care products. Evidence consists of laboratory studies and small cosmetic studies of topical use; there are no controlled trials of injected GHK-Cu.

Not an approved medicine. GHK-Cu is not an approved medicine for this use in Australia or the United States. This page summarises published research for information only. It is not a recommendation to use GHK-Cu, and VialOwl does not sell or supply it.

Background

GHK (glycyl-histidyl-lysine) is a tripeptide that occurs naturally in human plasma, saliva and urine, where its level falls with age, and it binds copper. It has been studied mainly by Loren Pickart and colleagues, and the copper complex (GHK-Cu) became a common skin care ingredient.

How it is thought to work

Binds copper and, in cell and animal studies, stimulates collagen and glycosaminoglycan production, attracts repair cells to wounds and shifts the activity of many genes. How much reaches living skin cells from a cream, or what an injection does in people, is not established.

What is claimed, and the evidence

Claim	Evidence	Notes
Reducing fine lines and improving skin firmness when applied topically	Small human studies	Small cosmetic studies; a 2025 review noted a surprising absence of rigorous clinical studies of GHK-Cu creams.
Faster wound healing	Animal studies only	Wound healing effects shown in rats, mice, pigs and dogs; not established in human controlled trials.
Anti inflammatory, lung protective and anti cancer effects	Animal studies only	Cell and animal studies and gene expression data only.
Hair growth	No published evidence	Common marketing claim; no controlled human trial found.
Injected GHK-Cu for anti ageing, fat loss or recovery	No published evidence	No controlled trials of injected GHK-Cu in people.

Side effects

Effect	How often	Notes
Skin irritation or redness with topical products	Frequency unknown	Cosmetic use is widespread; published frequency data were not found.
Adverse effects of injection	Frequency unknown	No published human safety data for injected GHK-Cu; FDA says human data are limited and injectable products may cause immune reactions due to aggregation or impurities.

Warnings

Injected GHK-Cu has no controlled human safety data; FDA flagged immunogenicity risk from aggregation and peptide impurities.
The TGA names injectable GHK-Cu as an example of an unapproved peptide product that has not been assessed for safety, quality or effectiveness.
Unapproved products bought online or from compounders may be contaminated, non sterile, underdosed, overdosed or contain a different substance; the TGA warns their labelling may be inaccurate and it has received reports of severe allergic reactions and hospitalisations.

Regulatory status

Australia: Not included on the ARTG as a medicine. Not specifically listed in the Poisons Standard (June 2026). Widely used as a cosmetic ingredient. TGA names injectable GHK-Cu as an example of an unapproved peptide product.
United States: Not FDA approved as a drug. Injectable GHK-Cu nomination withdrawn and removed from 503A Category 2 in April 2026; non-injectable GHK-Cu is in 503A Category 1 (under evaluation).

Sources

Also in Skin and hair

From the VialOwl library, reviewed 26 September 2026. For education and general information. It is not medical advice and not a recommendation to use GHK-Cu.