What is GHK-Cu and where does it come from?

GHK-Cu is a copper-bound tripeptide — three amino acids (glycine, histidine, lysine) complexed with a copper ion. It occurs naturally in human plasma, saliva, and urine, and its concentration declines with age. That natural decline is a big reason researchers study it as a marker and driver of tissue repair.

What has research shown about GHK-Cu?

In cell and animal studies it has been linked to increased collagen production, faster wound closure, and antioxidant activity. Gene-expression work suggests it influences a broad set of genes tied to repair and inflammation. These are preclinical findings — they describe what happened in lab models, not proven effects in people.

Is GHK-Cu FDA approved?

No. GHK-Cu is not an FDA-approved drug. It appears as an ingredient in some cosmetic formulations, but the material sold here is not a cosmetic or drug — it is research-grade powder supplied for in-vitro and laboratory research use only, not for human or veterinary use.

How does GHK-Cu differ from plain GHK?

GHK is the bare tripeptide; GHK-Cu is that same peptide chelated to a copper ion. The copper is central to much of its studied activity, since GHK acts partly as a copper carrier. Researchers pick the copper-bound form when the copper-delivery and matrix-remodeling behavior is what they want to observe.

What is the molecular structure of GHK-Cu?

Its molecular formula is C14H23CuN6O4+ with a molecular weight of 402.92 g/mol (CAS 89030-95-5). The defining feature is the glycyl-histidyl-lysine tripeptide coordinated to a single copper ion, which carries a net positive charge.

GHK-Cu

The copper peptide studied for skin repair and collagen

99.80% pure on this exact lot, verified by an independent lab, not by us
Tested in America. Ships within 1 business day, stored frozen, stable at room temperature until you mix it
Retest it at any lab. If it doesn't match our report, every dollar back

$59/ 100mg vial

$29.50 per vial with Buy 1, Get 1 Free

Size: 100mg

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In stock

99.80% pure on this exact lot, verified by an independent lab, not by us
Tested in America. Ships within 1 business day, stored frozen, stable at room temperature until you mix it
Retest it at any lab. If it doesn't match our report, every dollar back

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Certificate of analysis

Every vial ships with its own report

We don't publish a brand-wide spec sheet and call it a “COA.” The certificate you receive references the actual lot number stamped on your vial — with the raw chromatograms attached.

Lot-specific HPLC purity + LC-MS identity
Raw chromatogram + mass confirmation attached
Signed off by the lab's Principal Chemist
Permanent archive — searchable by lot ID

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GHK-Cu · 100mgLot JBG0GPLive

Purity by HPLC-UV

99.80%

Tested by: Freedom Diagnostics
Tested on: 14 Sept 2026
Net content: 85.20 mg

Contaminant screens

Heavy metalsEndotoxinsMicrobialSolvents

See all lab reports

Live batch data

Freedom Diagnostics

Independent analytical lab

Certificate of Analysis

RESULT · PASS

Lot JBG0GPVerified

GHK-Cu 100mg

HPLC purity

99.80%

Pass · Meets spec

Tested

14 Sept 2026

HPLC-UV + LC-MS

Analytical results

Identity (LC-MS)ConfirmedPASS

Net content85.20 mgPASS

HPLC Chromatogram

Main peak 99.80% · other 0.20%

Alex JohnsonPrincipal Chemist

Authentichain

Copper deliverymetal carrier

Tissue repaircollagen synthesis

Anti-inflammatoryantioxidant activity

How GHK-Cu works

Researchers study GHK-Cu across three connected routes — how it moves copper, how it signals repair, and how it calms damage.

Copper deliverymetal carrier

GHK binds copper and is studied as a shuttle that hands the metal to cells for enzymes involved in growth and healing.

Tissue repaircollagen synthesis

In skin-cell studies it signals fibroblasts to produce more collagen and other matrix proteins that rebuild structure.

Anti-inflammatoryantioxidant activity

Preclinical models suggest it dampens inflammatory signals and mops up free radicals that drive tissue damage.

For research use only. Mechanisms described reflect published preclinical and clinical literature.

Every batch we've tested

Anyone can show you one good report. Here is every batch of GHK-Cu we have ever released, newest first, each with its own signed report. Nothing hidden, nothing cherry-picked.

13 batches on record · latest tested 05 Oct 2026

All lab reportsEvery GHK-Cu batch, on one page.The full testing history with every signed report. No login, no email wall.See all lab reports

What the studies found

Published findings on this compound, each linked to its source. Animal and lab results are context, not claims about this product.

Facial wrinklesClinical

−55.8%

In an 8-week double-blind trial of 40 women aged 40 to 65, a GHK-Cu facial serum reduced wrinkle volume by 55.8% compared with the plain serum base.

vs the plain serum base

J Aging Sci 2016 · RCT, n=40

Wrinkle volume vs plain serum−55.8%

Wrinkle depth vs plain serum−32.8%

Wrinkle volume vs peptide cream−31.6%

Extra reduction with GHK-Cu after 8 weeks, by comparison

Skin collagenClinical

70%

In a skin-biopsy study, collagen production rose in 70% of women treated with a GHK-Cu cream, versus 50% with vitamin C cream and 40% with retinoic acid.

vs 40% on retinoic acid

Retinoic acid40%

Vitamin C cream50%

GHK-Cu cream70%

Share of women whose skin collagen increased

BioMed Res Int 2015 · review of human study

Wound healingPreclinical

−64.5%

In rats with wounds in skin starved of blood flow, GHK-Cu gel shrank wound area by 64.5% in 13 days, versus 28.2% for untreated wounds.

vs −28.2% untreated

Untreated−28.2%

Gel base only−45.6%