GHK‑Cu
Skin 
Hair 
Nails
Contents
In short
- GHK-Cu is a small peptide found naturally in the body, bound to copper.
- It is an established skincare ingredient, listed as copper tripeptide-1 and allowed in cosmetics in the EU.
- In the laboratory, GHK-Cu has shown effects on skin healing, connective tissue renewal and inflammation.
- The first studies in humans are small. One of them found better eyebrow hair growth.
Fact box
- Type
- Cosmetic ingredient
- Research
- Early human studies
- Sequence
- Gly-His-Lys + copper
- Other names
- copper peptide, copper tripeptide-1, glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper
What is GHK-Cu?
GHK-Cu is a small peptide of three amino acids, glycine, histidine and lysine, bound to copper. It occurs naturally in the body and is a common ingredient in creams and serums for the skin.
GHK is a peptide found naturally in the body, and it binds to copper. Together they are called GHK-Cu.[1][2]
In skincare it is often listed as copper tripeptide-1 in the ingredient list. It is found in many creams and serums.[3]
The amino acid sequence in the fact box comes from PubChem.[4]
What does the research say about GHK-Cu?
In the laboratory, GHK-Cu has shown effects on skin healing, connective tissue and inflammation. The first studies in humans are small, and one found better eyebrow hair growth. Larger studies will show how much it does for the skin over time.
| Use | Studies | Research |
|---|---|---|
| Skin: collagen and ageing | 2 studies · Pilot study · n = 31 | Early human studies |
| Muscles and joints | Animal study · Animals | Lab and animal studies |
RCT means randomised controlled trial. How to read a study
Skin: collagen and ageing
In cell and animal studies, GHK-Cu affects connective tissue renewal, skin healing and inflammation, among other things.[2]
A systematic review from 2026 found that the studies in humans are few and small. A study from 2026 with 18 participants reported better eyebrow hair growth.[2]
Muscles and joints
GHK-Cu has shown effects on wound healing and inflammation in the laboratory. Studies of muscle and joint injuries in humans are the next step.[5]
Questions and answers about GHK-Cu
Does GHK-Cu work on the skin?
In the laboratory, GHK-Cu has shown effects on healing and connective tissue, which is why it is widely used in skincare. The first studies in humans are small, and larger studies will show how much it does for ageing skin.
Is GHK-Cu found naturally in the body?
Yes. GHK is a peptide found naturally in the body, and it binds to copper. Together they are called GHK-Cu.
What is the difference between a cream and an injection?
A cream is a cosmetic, and the ingredient is allowed in the EU. The studies of GHK-Cu on the skin have used creams and serums.
Is GHK-Cu better than retinol?
We have not found studies that compare them directly.