What is GHK-Cu and why is it used in skin products?
Updated: 2026-09-09 · GHK-Cu, skin and hair
Short answer
GHK-Cu is a tripeptide that forms a complex with copper and occurs naturally in human plasma. It is used in skincare because it has been associated with skin repair processes and collagen synthesis. It is one of the few peptides with a long, genuine presence in commercial skincare products.
In plain English
- Three amino acids bound to a copper ion.
- Naturally present in the body, declining with age.
- In cosmetics it is mostly formulated into serums and creams.
What we know
- It has been studied in skin repair contexts and collagen-related signalling, mostly in preclinical work.
- Topical cosmetic use is widespread; published controlled clinical trials are few and small.
What we don't know yet
- The size of the cosmetic effect varies widely across studies, formulations and concentrations, and standardised good-quality clinical evidence is still sparse.
Sources
External links to official sources or peer-reviewed studies.