GHK-Cu is a copper-bound form of the GHK tripeptide. The supplied evidence discusses it mainly in cosmetic skin research, including collagen support, wound-healing models, skin rejuvenation, hair-growth interest, and anti-aging endpoints. Human evidence is described as limited and mainly topical.

Is GHK-Cu FDA approved?

No. The supplied source states that GHK-Cu is not FDA approved. It also describes cosmetic use and notes a separate injectable-compounding classification issue, which should not be read as drug approval.

What side effects are reported for GHK-Cu?

Reported issues include mild topical irritation such as redness or tingling, injection-site reactions for injectable use, possible histamine-related sensitivity, and copper-toxicity concern with excessive exposure. The source also flags Wilson's disease and active-cancer contexts as cautions or contraindications requiring review.

What typical dose is reported for GHK-Cu?

The source gives a community-reported range of 0.5-3 mg daily, with a common injectable amount of 1-2 mg daily, and also lists 0.05% topical use once daily. These are reported dosing observations, not treatment instructions.

Skin & Hair Clinical Trials - human trials under way

GHK-Cu

Also known as: Copper Peptide, Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper

At a glance

PeptiGuide dataset · reviewed Aug 2026

What it is

Copper-bound GHK tripeptide researched for skin repair, cosmetic aging, wound-healing, and hair-related applications.

Status

Clinical Trials

Evidence level: human studies

Typical dose

1–2mg

Subcutaneous injection or topical application

Researched for

Skin rejuvenation, wound healing, hair growth, anti-aging

Trial progress

PrePreclinical
IPhase I
IIPhase II
IIIPhase III
IVPhase IV
FDAFDA approved

Phase II - Emerging human evidence with important limitations

Use the tools

In plain language

Copper-bound GHK tripeptide researched mainly for skin, hair, wound-healing, and anti-aging applications.
Human evidence in the source is concentrated in small topical cosmetic studies, not large independent trials.
The source reports topical and routes, but notes stronger clinical support for topical use.
Not FDA approved according to the supplied evidence.

How it's thought to work

GHK-Cu is described as the copper(II) complex of the GHK tripeptide. The source connects its activity to copper binding and possible cellular copper delivery, but also emphasizes effects that go beyond a simple carrier model. Reported laboratory observations include shifts in gene expression, increased fibroblast production of extracellular-matrix components, keratinocyte support, vascular-related activity, and antioxidant or anti-inflammatory signals. The precise mechanism is still not fully defined.

What the research shows

Where the research stands

The source describes a mixed evidence base. Cell and animal work is reported for wound repair, collagen deposition, fibroblast activity, elastin and growth-factor production, keratinocyte protection, and lung-injury models. Human data are described as small topical cosmetic studies, including facial-cream and eye-cream studies with 71 and 41 participants that reported changes in skin density, thickness, and wrinkle appearance. These data are encouraging for topical skin endpoints but do not establish injected or systemic benefits.

What it shows

✓ Human studies

Emerging human evidence with important limitations

△ Limitations

Study protocols describe research and are not dosing recommendations.

Bottom line: Used in cosmetic products with limited human topical-skincare evidence; the source also notes injectable compounding restrictions and a pending reclassification process. Not FDA Approved

Typical dosing

CommunityCommunity dataset

1–2 mg

daily injection or 0.05% topical

0.5 mgfull range seen3 mg

Community-reported dosing; the source emphasizes that most clinical evidence relates to topical 0.05% use, while injectable use has less direct support. · Subcutaneous injection or topical application

Research dosing

Study-specific protocolsHuman trials under way - protocols are study-specific

Doses observed in studies

1-2 mg for injectable protocols

Research Literature - Observed in studies

Study protocols describe research and are not dosing recommendations.

Duration: Varies by application
Administration: Subcutaneous injection or topical application

Timing & administration

Best time to take

Evening for skin or recovery contexts

1-2 times daily

Food recommendation

With or without food

Why this timing?

The source suggests evening use because tissue-repair processes are framed as occurring during sleep; this is a timing rationale, not proof of superior outcomes.

Possible side effects

Not everyone experiences these. Individual responses vary with dose, duration, and personal factors.

Generally well tolerated
Mild topical irritation, redness, or tingling
Injection-site reactions
Possible histamine release
Copper toxicity risk with excessive use
Wilson's disease contraindication
Caution with active cancer

Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity can vary by context, purity, route, and individual health factors.

Sources

PubMed ClinicalTrials.gov FDA.gov

Frequently asked questions

GHK-Cu binds copper(II), which may help make copper available for processes involved in connective tissue and antioxidant biology. The source also describes broader laboratory findings, including changes in gene expression, fibroblast activity, extracellular-matrix production, keratinocyte support, blood-vessel-related activity, and anti-inflammatory or antioxidant effects. The exact mechanism remains uncertain.

Sequence

Gly-His-Lys-Cu(II) complex (GHK-Cu)

One open dataset

Every fact on this page - doses, side effects, references - comes from the same PeptiGuide dataset that powers the Tracker, Compare, and the Lab.

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Educational resource, not medical advice. Talk to your clinician before acting on anything here.

Community discussion

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GHK-Cu

In plain languageIn plain language

How it's thought to workHow it's thought to work

What the research showsWhat the research shows

Typical dosing

Research dosing

Timing & administrationTiming & administration

Possible side effectsPossible side effects

SourcesSources

Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions

What does GHK-Cu do?

How does GHK-Cu work?