GHK-Cu
GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide studied for its role in skin and connective tissue research, particularly in models examining collagen synthesis and wound healing.
Part of KYIN Peptides' standard catalogue — see the product page for pricing. KYIN's GHK-Cu ships as a lyophilized powder for laboratory reconstitution — a different product to topical copper-peptide skincare serums.
What Is GHK-Cu?
GHK-Cu was discovered almost by accident. In 1973, Dr. Loren Pickart was investigating why blood plasma taken from young donors (aged 20–25) was far more effective than plasma from older donors (aged 60–80) at prompting aged liver tissue to synthesize proteins the way younger tissue does. That difference in behaviour led him to isolate the specific active factor responsible: a small peptide within human plasma albumin matching the sequence glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, now known as GHK. By 1977, Pickart had gone further and identified that this tripeptide naturally binds copper ions in the bloodstream, forming the copper-complexed version now called GHK-Cu. Notably, the original research question had nothing to do with skin at all — Pickart's starting point was tissue aging at the cellular level; the dermal and wound-healing research GHK-Cu is best known for today came later. See its full discovery history.
Research Focus
Because KYIN's GHK-Cu ships as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder intended for laboratory reconstitution, it should not be confused with the topical copper-peptide serums sold for skincare — it is the same underlying molecule, but a different product intended for a different purpose. Research use centers on its role in connective-tissue and dermal biology. It sits in KYIN's Healing & Recovery category alongside BPC-157, TB-500, and KPV, and is combined with all three in our KLOW Blend. See our Healing & Recovery research overview, or how it compares to BPC-157, TB-500, and KPV.
- Dermal and connective tissue research
- Collagen synthesis studies
- Wound healing research models
- Skin remodeling research
Clinical & Preclinical Trial Data
Unusually for a research peptide, GHK-Cu has some small-scale human data, though all of it is from topical (not injectable) application. A 21-participant trial found a 28% average increase in skin collagen density after 3 months of daily topical use. A separate 45-participant trial comparing GHK-Cu to a known comparator peptide found modest improvements in wrinkle reduction and skin elasticity that were not statistically significant versus the comparator. No large-scale randomized controlled trials exist.
Availability
GHK-Cu is part of KYIN Peptides' standard catalogue — see the product page for pricing, or contact us to order.
GHK-Cu questions
What is GHK-Cu?
GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine complexed with copper), discovered by Dr. Loren Pickart in the 1970s while investigating why young donor blood plasma was more effective than older plasma at prompting aged liver tissue to synthesize proteins. It is studied for its role in skin and connective-tissue research.
Has GHK-Cu been tested in human trials?
Unusually for a research peptide, GHK-Cu has some small-scale human data, though all of it is from topical (not injectable) application. A 21-participant trial found a 28% average increase in skin collagen density after 3 months of daily topical use. A separate 45-participant trial found modest wrinkle and elasticity improvements that were not statistically significant versus a comparator. No large-scale randomized controlled trials exist.
Does KYIN Peptides sell GHK-Cu?
Yes — GHK-Cu is part of our standard catalogue, both individually and in our KLOW Blend. It ships as a lyophilized powder for laboratory reconstitution, not a topical skincare product. See the product page for pricing.
Interested in GHK-Cu?
See pricing and order on the product page, or browse our other healing & recovery peptides.