GHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide-1)

GHK-Cu (copper tripeptide-1) is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide — glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine complexed with copper(II) — with a molecular weight of 340 Da for the peptide. First isolated from human plasma by Loren Pickart in 1973, GHK has an extremely high affinity for copper and spontaneously forms the biologically active GHK-Cu complex. Plasma GHK declines from roughly 200 ng/mL at age 20 to about 80 ng/mL by age 60 (Pickart & Margolina, 2018, PMID: 29987172). As a carrier peptide it delivers copper — a cofactor for lysyl oxidase and superoxide dismutase — and upregulates collagen types I, III, and VI, supporting its use as the most-studied topical peptide for skin density, wrinkle reduction, and wound-repair research. Its 340 Da size sits below the ~500 Da stratum-corneum absorption cutoff, making it relatively well-suited to topical delivery.

Related peptides: GHK-Cu monograph Related guides: GHK-Cu topical peptide · Topical peptides

Part of the Aevitas Peptide Glossary.