GHK-Cu
Also known as: Copper Peptide · Glycyl-Histidyl-Lysine Copper
GHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide naturally present in human plasma. Concentration declines with age. Most studied in cosmetic and topical applications. Sold as both a topical cosmetic ingredient and an injectable research peptide.
Last reviewed · Panya.health editorial
Panya scores vendors against an 11-signal rubric. Vendors at or above 70 out of 100 are routable; below 70 are documented but get no Panya affiliate link. For prescription peptides like Mounjaro and Wegovy, Panya routes today through licensed clinicians. For research peptides like GHK-Cu, vendor scorecards land in a follow-up sprint after legal review and payment processor selection. Until then, the page surfaces commonly-mentioned vendor names so adults can do their own diligence. We do not yet earn commission on any GHK-Cu vendor.
Not medical advice. GHK-Cu is not approved for human medical use in most jurisdictions. The data below is what users do; it is not what regulators have validated. You decide your risk profile.
What it does, and how
GHK is a 3-amino-acid sequence (glycine, histidine, lysine) that binds copper(II) with high affinity. Plasma levels are around 200 ng/mL in 20-year-olds and drop below 80 ng/mL by age 60. Documented effects in vitro and in animal models include collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis stimulation, wound contraction acceleration, and modulation of dozens of genes related to skin remodelling. Topical use in cosmetics is well-established and FDA-acknowledged for skin appearance claims. Injectable use for systemic anti-aging is community practice without human trials at the relevant doses.
Typical practice
Topical: 0.1 to 2 percent GHK-Cu in serum or cream form, applied daily. Plenty of FDA-acknowledged cosmetics in this range. Injectable subcutaneous community practice runs 1 to 2 mg per day in 4 to 8 week cycles, sometimes daily for 30 days then off. Reconstitution typically 50 mg vial in 5 mL bacteriostatic water. Topical works fine for skin claims; injectable is the path users take when they want systemic effects (hair, wound healing distant from application site, longevity-curious dosing).
The dosing above is community practice, not a regulator-validated protocol. Trial-validated dosing for GHK-Cu in humans does not exist for most use cases listed.
Risks and contraindications
Topical use is widely tolerated; rare contact dermatitis reports. Injectable raises copper-overload risk for users with Wilson's disease or copper-handling abnormalities; if you have a known copper sensitivity, skip this. High-dose chronic injection has not been characterised in humans. The peptide can theoretically chelate other metals when free copper is depleted; users on chelation therapy or with iron-overload conditions should consult a clinician. Pregnancy: topical generally considered safe in cosmetic concentrations; injectable, avoid.
Where this stands legally
Topical GHK-Cu is widely sold as a cosmetic ingredient and is on FDA's acknowledged cosmetic ingredient list. Injectable GHK-Cu is research-chemical; not FDA-approved for medical use.
Topical sold in cosmetics; injectable falls under research-chemical category. MHRA does not formally regulate either at the cosmetic level.
Topical permitted under EU cosmetics regulation. Injectable research-chemical category.
Topical GHK-Cu in cosmetics widely available. Injectable through Bangkok wellness clinics is legal grey zone but not actively prosecuted.
Topical permitted. Injectable research-chemical category; TGA scrutiny on imports.
Where users say they source it
Names below are sourced from community discussion. None are currently scored against the Panya 11-signal rubric. Panya does not earn commission on any of these. You can search them yourself; treat the list as a starting point for your own diligence, not an endorsement.
- Pure Rawz (injectable)Pending Panya 11-signal audit
- Limitless Life (injectable)Pending Panya 11-signal audit
- The Ordinary, Niod (topical cosmetic, US/EU/UK)Pending Panya 11-signal audit
- Bangkok wellness clinics offering longevity protocolsPending Panya 11-signal audit
Full vendor scorecards for GHK-Cu land in a follow-up sprint after lawyer review and payment processor selection. We will not route users to any vendor that scores below 70 on the rubric.
Papers worth reading directly
Panya blog posts
The phrase on every grey-market peptide site. What it actually means, what it does not mean, and why reading it wrong costs people money.
The five things that matter on a COA, the three things that do not, and the one question that separates a serious vendor from a cargo-cult operator.
Adjacent reading
Track GHK-Cu in your peptide journal.
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