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GHK-Cu

Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin & Hair · CAS 89030-95-5
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Category
Skin & Hair
Evidence grade
C
PubMed records
81
Female-tagged
0
Sex-analysis
0
CAS
89030-95-5
C
Evidence grade C, Early human data only (Phase 1 / small-n) across 81 indexed studies. How grades work →
Female evidence: Direct
GHK-Cu: of 81 PubMed records, 0 are tagged as including female subjects and 0 carry a sex-analysis tag.Counts reflect PubMed records as of 2026-07-17. “Female” uses the Female MeSH filter and “sex-analysis” the Sex Factors MeSH filter, automated proxies pending manual study-level review. Methodology →

Overview

GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide, glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine complexed with a copper(II) ion, found endogenously in plasma and other tissues. Its small structure and defined metal-binding chemistry give it a research-friendly profile as a tool compound in dermal and extracellular-matrix investigation.

In preclinical and in-vitro systems, GHK-Cu has been studied for its role in copper transport and for its association with collagen and elastin gene expression, fibroblast activity, glycosaminoglycan synthesis, and matrix-remodeling signaling. Researchers examining tissue-remodeling pathways have used it as a research material, and it has also appeared in topical cosmetic studies, while evidence for systemic or injected use remains far weaker and largely preclinical.

What makes GHK-Cu a notable catalog entry is the combination of a well-defined copper-chelation mechanism and a comparatively developed body of topical research. Whether its mechanisms translate to female physiology remains an open research question; our evidence review tracks how many of the underlying studies included women. Supplied for in-vitro and laboratory research only.

Summary

GHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide with the most human evidence in topical cosmetic use, including female-majority dermatology studies. Evidence for systemic or injected use is far weaker and largely preclinical.

Evidence in women

Menstrual cycle
Unstudied
Cosmetic skin studies did not analyze cycle phase.
Pregnancy & lactation
Unstudied
Topical cosmetic safety in pregnancy is not established; systemic use has no data.
Hormonal interactions
Unstudied
No hormonal interaction data.
Perimenopause & menopause
Evidence
Several dermatology studies enrolled peri/postmenopausal women for skin-aging endpoints.
Sex differences
No evidence
Cosmetic-dermatology studies skew female, so women are relatively well represented, but very few reported sex-stratified skin outcomes.

Mechanism

Copper-binding tripeptide that modulates collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis and has been reported to influence genes involved in tissue remodeling.

Reported dosing & routes

◐

We don't give dosing or medical advice. The figures below describe what was used in published research, not a recommendation. Decide with your clinician.

Reported range (literature)Topical formulations in cosmetic studies; systemic dosing not established.
Routestopical
Female-specific dosingNot established

Contraindications: copper sensitivity

Side effects

Reported in the research literature. Sex-specific incidence has not been separately analysed in the available records.

local irritation (topical)

GHK-Cu reconstitution calculator

Enter this vial's amount, the bacteriostatic water you add, and a target amount to get the concentration and the U-100 syringe units to draw. Handling arithmetic for research use, not a dose recommendation.

Reconstitution

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Draw for GHK-Cu

5
units on a U-100 insulin syringe
020406080100
U-100 insulin syringe — 1 mL = 100 units
That's 0.05 mL drawn to the 5-unit mark.
Concentration5 mg/mL (5,000 mcg/mL)
Volume to draw0.05 mL
Doses per vial40

Reference chart at 5 mg/mL

Target amountVolume (mL)U-100 units
100 mcg0.02 mL2
250 mcg0.05 mL5
500 mcg0.1 mL10
750 mcg0.15 mL15
1000 mcg0.2 mL20

Research-use arithmetic only. This tool converts a vial amount, diluent volume, and a target amount into a concentration and syringe draw for laboratory handling. It is not dosing guidance, a recommendation, or a claim of safety or efficacy, and it does not account for overfill, dead space, or peptide purity. Nothing here is medical advice. “U-100” means 100 units = 1 mL; confirm your syringe graduation before measuring. See the reconstitution & storage handbook for handling detail.

Frequently asked questions

Answers drawn only from GHK-Cu's research facts and, where reviewed, its sex-disaggregated evidence. Nothing here is medical advice, dosing, or a claim of safety or efficacy.

What is GHK-Cu?

GHK-Cu, also known as Copper Tripeptide-1, is a research compound in our skin hair category. GHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide with the most human evidence in topical cosmetic use, including female-majority dermatology studies.

Is GHK-Cu studied in women?

GHK-Cu: of 81 PubMed records, 0 are tagged as including female subjects and 0 carry a sex-analysis tag. We grade this direct female evidence: at least one record carries a sex-analysis tag, so some findings are drawn from women rather than borrowed from mixed or male data. See how we read the evidence.

Has GHK-Cu been studied during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Unstudied. Topical cosmetic safety in pregnancy is not established; systemic use has no data. This is not a safety clearance or a recommendation. Vera, our research chat, deliberately hard-stops on pregnancy, breastfeeding, and trying-to-conceive questions rather than answer them.

What evidence grade does GHK-Cu have, and why?

GHK-Cu carries evidence grade C. Early human data only (Phase 1 / small-n) across 81 indexed studies.. Grades are derived from the research record, never hand-assigned; see how grades work.

Is there a female-specific dose for GHK-Cu?

No. A female-specific dose for GHK-Cu is not established, and this site does not provide dosing or medical advice. Any figures we show describe what published research used, not a recommendation. Decide anything about use with a qualified clinician.

How is GHK-Cu administered in research?

In the published literature, GHK-Cu is administered via topical. Reported dose ranges on the Dosing tab describe what studies used for laboratory research, not a protocol for people. We don't provide dosing.

What side effects have been reported for GHK-Cu?

Effects reported in the research literature include local irritation (topical). Sex-specific incidence has not been separately analysed in the available records, so these are not broken out for women.

What is the CAS number for GHK-Cu?

The CAS registry number for GHK-Cu is 89030-95-5. It is also referred to as Copper Tripeptide-1, GHK-Copper. Use it to confirm identity against a Certificate of Analysis.

How should GHK-Cu be stored and handled?

GHK-Cu sold for research is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder. Lyophilized peptides are generally kept cold and dry, at roughly -20°C for longer-term storage and 2-8°C short-term, protected from light. Once reconstituted they are typically refrigerated and used within a short window, avoiding repeated freeze-thaw cycles. This is general laboratory handling for research use only, not a directive for human use. Always follow the handling and purity details on the product's Certificate of Analysis.

Where can I buy GHK-Cu for research?

For laboratory research use, GHK-Cu is available from our research-use partner, Aurevena Research. Applying code research15 takes 15% off. We may earn a commission when you purchase through this link, at no extra cost to you. Products are for laboratory research use only.

Buy GHK-Cu at Aurevena Research
Research-use supplier: GHK-Cu is available from our research-use vendor for laboratory use. Code research15 for 15% off, applied automatically at checkout. We may earn a commission when you purchase through this link, at no extra cost to you. Products are for laboratory research use only.
Buy now →

Citations (PMID)

25574232 · 29349906

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Educational information for laboratory and research use only. Not medical advice, a recommendation, or a claim of safety or efficacy; no personal dosing. “Unstudied” means no qualifying study was found, not that a compound is safe or unsafe.