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GHK-Cu

Skin & anti-agingHealing & recovery

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

A naturally occurring copper carrying tripeptide studied for skin, collagen, and wound healing.

Safety:Do not use it if you have Wilson's disease or another copper overload condition. The mixed solution is blue, which is normal for copper.

2.What it is / mechanism

GHK-Cu is a small peptide of three amino acids that binds a copper ion. The body makes it naturally, and levels fall with age. Much of its effect comes from delivering copper, which the body needs to build collagen and elastin. In lab and skin studies it stimulates collagen and other support molecules, and it appears to switch on many genes tied to repair and inflammation. It is the copper part that gives a mixed solution its blue color.s1

3.What the evidence supports

  • Limited human dataImproves skin firmness, fine lines, and overall skin quality.s1

    Supported by cosmetic and topical human studies, along with lab work. Most of this evidence is for creams and serums, not injections.

  • Animal data onlySpeeds wound healing and boosts collagen in tissue.s1, s2

    Shown in animal wound models, such as a rat study where it raised collagen in healing tissue. Human injectable data is limited.

  • Animal data onlyActs on many genes linked to repair and inflammation.s1

    Based on cell and gene expression work, not human outcomes.

  • Anecdotal onlyInjected for whole body anti aging.

    Popular in the community, but not backed by human trials for this use.

4.Dosing

Anecdotal only
Route(s)subcutaneous, topical (creams and serums)
Typical rangeInjectable: about 1 to 2 mg per day for skin and anti aging, sometimes up to 2 to 5 mg per day for wound healing. Topical: 2 to 4 percent creams.
FrequencyOnce daily, often in short cycles
Cycle guidanceCommonly run for a few weeks with breaks in between.
NotesInjectable dosing comes from community practice, not human dose finding trials. The of GHK-Cu is not well established, so there is no plot for it here. Remember that a mixed GHK-Cu solution is blue because of its copper.
s1

5.Reconstitution

Vial sizes50 mg, 100 mg
DiluentBacteriostatic water for multi dose vials, or sterile water for single use
ConcentrationExample: a 50 mg vial plus 5 mL of water gives 10 mg/mL, so 1 mg is 0.1 mL, which is 10 units on a U-100 syringe. The solution will look blue, which is normal.
NotesGHK-Cu usually ships as 50 mg or 100 mg freeze dried vials. Once mixed, the solution is blue from the copper.

Reconstitution calculator

Pick your vial size and how much water you add to see the draw volume and syringe units for a dose. Open the full calculator →

Inputs

Reminder: 1 mg = 1,000 mcg

mg

Total amount stated on the vial, e.g. 5 mg.

mL

How much diluent you draw into the vial.

mcg

Target dose per injection, in mcg. 1 mg = 1,000 mcg.

Result

Draw to

1 units

= 0.01 mL on your syringe

Concentration
25,000 mcg/mL
Per unit
250 mcg / unit
Doses per vial
200

Educational estimate only. Not medical or dosing advice. Verify every calculation independently before use.

General reconstitution technique →

6.Storage & stability

Lyophilized (dry)

TempFreeze for long term storage, or 2 to 8 short term
Shelf lifeMany months when frozen
NotesKeep dry and out of light until you mix it.

Reconstituted

Temp2 to 8 (refrigerated)
Shelf lifeAbout 4 weeks
NotesDo not freeze after mixing. A blue color is normal. Discard if it turns brown, cloudy, or grows anything.

General storage & stability guide →

7.Reported side effects

  • WarningCopper overload with high or long term dosings1A concern with large systemic doses over time, since the peptide carries copper. It may also lower zinc, which balances copper in the body.
  • CautionInjection site redness or irritation(common)s1
  • CautionTemporary skin flushing(uncommon)s1
  • CautionMild nausea or headache(uncommon)s1

8.Interactions & stacking risks

  • SeriousCopper lowering drugs (penicillamine, trientine, zinc acetate)s1

    These treat copper overload conditions. GHK-Cu adds copper, so it works against them.

  • CautionZincs1

    Copper and zinc balance each other, so ongoing copper can lower zinc over time.

  • InfoGLOW and KLOW blends

    GHK-Cu is the copper part of both the GLOW and KLOW blends. See the related entries below.

9.Contraindications / who should avoid

  • SeriousWilson's disease or other copper overload conditions

    The body cannot clear extra copper safely, so added copper can build up and cause harm.

  • SeriousPregnancy or breastfeeding

    No safety data in pregnancy or breastfeeding.

10.COA & purity notes

Common adulterantsunderdosed or mislabeled vials, plain GHK sold as GHK-Cu, with little or no copper, product sold as a blend without clear amounts of each peptide
MislabelingReal GHK-Cu turns blue when mixed. A clear solution can mean there is little or no copper. It is also sold inside the GLOW and KLOW blends, where the amount of each peptide should be listed.
NotesSold both as a cosmetic ingredient and as injectable research material. The injectable form is unregulated.

How to read a COA →

11.Sources

  1. [s1]International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2018). Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. review link
  2. [s2]Wound healing study (rat model) (1993). GHK-Cu increases collagen synthesis and extracellular matrix accumulation in a rat wound model. preclinical animal

Last reviewed 2026-07-07 · status: reviewed