GHK-Cu: the copper peptide in skin research

BritishPeps research team · Updated 18 July 2026 · ~6 min read

GHK-Cu is the best known of the "copper peptides" and turns up throughout skin- and regeneration-focused research. This guide explains what it is and what questions the scientific literature asks. It is purely educational: GHK-Cu is supplied exclusively for in-vitro laboratory research and is not intended for human or veterinary use.

What is GHK-Cu?

GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring tripeptide — glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (Gly-His-Lys) — bound to a copper(II) ion. The copper is central to how the molecule is studied, which is where the name copper peptide comes from. It carries CAS number 89030-95-5 and ships as a lyophilised powder; the full molecular data is on the GHK-Cu product page.

What do the research models explore?

Skin remodelling — GHK-Cu is one of the most-cited compounds in cosmetic-science research.
Collagen synthesis — a recurring theme in the extracellular-matrix literature.
Tissue regeneration — studied in wound-model and repair contexts.

GHK-Cu in blends and alongside other cosmetic research peptides

GHK-Cu is part of the recovery-and-skin blend GLOW 70 (alongside BPC-157 and TB-500). In cosmetic-focused research it sits next to other reference compounds such as SNAP-8 (an expression-line research peptide) and the melanocortin compounds Melanotan 1, Melanotan 2 and PT-141, studied in pigmentation and melanocortin-pathway research.

Handling and storage

GHK-Cu ships lyophilised and is stored at −20 °C, away from light. It is reconstituted with bacteriostatic water and thereafter kept at 2–8 °C. See the reconstitution guide for the full procedure.

Frequently asked questions

Is GHK-Cu for human or cosmetic use?

No. GHK-Cu is supplied exclusively for in-vitro laboratory research and is not intended for human, veterinary or cosmetic use.

Why is it called a copper peptide?

Because the GHK tripeptide is complexed with a copper(II) ion, and the copper is essential to how the molecule is studied.

How should GHK-Cu be stored?

Keep the lyophilised vial at −20 °C, protected from light. After reconstitution, keep it refrigerated at 2–8 °C.

For research use only. This content is educational. The products mentioned are supplied exclusively for scientific and in-vitro laboratory research, not for human, veterinary or cosmetic use. You must be 18 or over to place an order.