A tripeptide identified more than 50 years ago
GHK-Cu (Glycyl-Histidyl-Lysine, complexed with copper) was identified in human plasma in 1973. It is one of the peptides with the oldest and most extensive scientific literature in the field of dermatological research, with continuous publications since the 1980s.
What the literature studies
- Collagen and elastin synthesis — the most well-documented mechanism, observed in skin fibroblast models
- Antioxidant properties — reported ability to modulate cellular oxidative stress
- Modulation of gene expression — more recent studies examine its influence on several hundred genes linked to tissue repair
- Hair research — a separate line of study looks at its potential role in follicular stimulation
GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu: what's the difference?
AHK-Cu (Alanyl-Histidyl-Lysine-Copper) is a related copper tripeptide, studied for similar mechanisms. Both compounds are often explored in parallel in the skin research literature, with no clear consensus establishing the superiority of one over the other across all studied mechanisms.
Level of evidence
GHK-Cu has cellular data, animal models, and some human studies involving topical application — a broader body of evidence than the average research peptide, though still confined to specific experimental contexts.
To learn more
See also our Skin Renewal, Strong Hair stack, which combines GHK-Cu with a pre-formulated blend for skin and hair research.