GHK-Cu
Copper-binding tripeptide (cosmetic ingredient)
Status
Cosmetic ingredient
Legal and widely used as a cosmetic ingredient (copper tripeptide-1, judged safe as used by the US Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel) but not an approved drug: injectable GHK-Cu was in FDA's 503A Category 2 until April 2026, non-injectable GHK-Cu is back under FDA evaluation in Category 1, and an FDA advisory committee is due to review it by February 2027.
Evidence
Preliminary
Human evidence is limited to one small 1994 diabetic ulcer trial and small cosmetic studies; there are essentially no human data for injected GHK-Cu.
GHK-Cu is a copper-bound tripeptide (glycine-histidine-lysine) found naturally in human blood and widely used in skin creams. It is also sold as an injectable research chemical for healing and anti-ageing, uses without meaningful human evidence.
Structure
3 residues- aH2Cu(II) complex
Point at a bead, or focus the chain and use the arrow keys, to name it. Pick a chemistry to highlight it.
Sequence as text
H-G-H-K-OH
What it is used for
- Fine lines, firmness and overall skin appearance in cosmetic creams, in small studies (studied)
- Diabetic foot ulcers as a topical gel, in one 1994 trial (studied)
- Hair growth (claimed, unproven)
- Injected for tissue healing or anti-ageing (claimed, unproven)
How it works
GHK occurs naturally in human plasma, at about 200 ng/mL at age 20 falling to about 80 ng/mL by age 60, and readily binds copper(II). In cell and animal studies GHK-Cu stimulates fibroblasts to make collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans, promotes blood vessel and nerve outgrowth, and shifts the activity of many genes involved in repair and inflammation. Cosmetic products typically contain under 10 ppm.
How strong the evidence is
Preliminary
In a multicentre, randomised, evaluator-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of a GHK-Cu gel (Iamin) for diabetic neuropathic foot ulcers (Mulder 1994), treated plantar ulcers closed more (median 98.5% versus 60.8% of wound area with vehicle) and had fewer infections. Cosmetic studies summarised in a 2018 review by the peptide's discoverer include a 12-week facial cream study in 71 women and a 12-week eye cream study in 41 women that outperformed placebo and vitamin K cream; these studies are small. FDA found only limited human data relevant to injected GHK-Cu.
Risks and side effects
- Topical use at cosmetic concentrations was judged safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel on irritation, sensitisation and toxicity data.
- Injected GHK-Cu may provoke unwanted immune reactions (immunogenicity) through aggregation and peptide impurities, and human safety data are limited (FDA).
- Injectable research-chemical products are not quality controlled for identity or purity.
- Not named on the WADA list, and USADA lists copper-free GHK (tripeptide-1) as a permitted cosmetic peptide, but injecting an unapproved peptide can fall under WADA's S0 class.
Regulatory status
Status by country
| Jurisdiction | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| USUnited States | Cosmetic ingredient | Source 2 |
| EUEuropean Union | Cosmetic ingredient | Source 9 |
| UKUnited Kingdom | No authorised medicine | Source 10 |
| AUAustralia | No authorised medicine | Source 11 |
| CACanada | No authorised medicine | Source 12 |
Timeline
2026
- ResearchReview of 565 studies finds little human evidence for popular injectable peptides
- RegulatoryFDA removes BPC-157 and 11 other peptides from its compounding safety-risk list
- SafetyAustralia's TGA warns of severe reactions to unapproved injectable peptides
- SafetyHealth Canada warns against injecting peptides bought online and names seized products
Sources
- 01PubChem Compound Summary: Prezatide copper (CID 71587328)(opens the source in a new tab)
- 02Safety Assessment of Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-12, their Metal Salts and Fatty Acyl Derivatives, and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 as Used in Cosmetics (Final Report)(opens the source in a new tab)
- 03Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503A (updated May 14, 2026)(opens the source in a new tab)
- 04Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks(opens the source in a new tab)
- 05Meeting of the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee (before end of February 2027)(opens the source in a new tab)
- 06Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data(opens the source in a new tab)
- 07Enhanced healing of ulcers in patients with diabetes by topical treatment with glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine copper(opens the source in a new tab)
- 08Peptides and Growth Factors in Cosmetics: Are They Banned?(opens the source in a new tab)
- 09CosIng: COPPER TRIPEPTIDE-1(opens the source in a new tab)
- 10MHRA Products: active substances beginning with G(opens the source in a new tab)
- 11Understanding your responsibilities when importing, compounding and supplying unapproved peptide products(opens the source in a new tab)
- 12Think twice before injecting peptides bought online: unauthorized products can seriously harm you(opens the source in a new tab)
Educational information, not medical advice. Talk to a licensed clinician before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.