Also called Copper peptide, Copper tripeptide-1, Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper
A natural copper peptide long used in skin creams; injecting it is new and untested.
GHK is a tiny peptide, just three amino acids, found in your blood, saliva and urine. It grabs copper tightly, the pair is called GHK-Cu, and blood levels drop as you age. It's been a common ingredient in anti-aging skin creams and hair serums for decades.
GHK-Cu delivers copper to cells that need it for repair. In lab studies it tells skin cells to make more collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep skin firm, and it calms inflammation and helps wounds close. Gene studies suggest it nudges many repair genes at once, but that's lab data, not proof it works in people.
Some human studies
On skin, small cosmetic studies, many run or paid for by the industry, show modest gains in firmness and fine lines, and lab and animal studies show wound healing and collagen effects. Injected GHK-Cu, which many people now use, has no published human trials, and FDA has noted there's little human data for injecting it. Treat any whole-body anti-aging claims as unproven.
Why: This range is common in clinic and community use but hasn't been tested in a human trial. Many people dilute it more to cut the sting.
Start at the low end, and change one thing at a time. If you take medication or have a health condition, check with a doctor first.
Set up for a 50 mg vial. Change any number to match yours. New to this? Read how to mix a vial and mg vs mL vs units first.
Pick your dose and how long you'll run it. We'll count what you need.
Get help right away for swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing, chest pain, or a spreading, hot, red injection site.
Powder: fridge or freezer, out of light. Once mixed with bacteriostatic water: fridge, use within about 4 weeks. Creams: follow the label.
FDA: Legal as a cosmetic ingredient in skin and hair products. Injectable GHK-Cu is not approved. FDA removed injectable GHK-Cu from its Category 2 compounding risk list in April 2026 after the nomination was withdrawn. It is not on the 503A bulks list.
Sport (WADA): Not named on the list. Skin products are not an issue, but injected use could fall under S0 (non-approved substances); athletes should check with their anti-doping agency.
The cream has the longer track record and some small human studies. The injection has no published human trials.
The copper makes it blue. That's normal.
Copper irritates the tissue under the skin. Many people dilute it more or rotate injection spots to make it more comfortable.
Once or twice a day on clean skin or scalp, then judge results after 8 to 12 weeks. Skip strong acids or vitamin C in the same step, since they can break the copper bond.
Last checked 2026-10