Regeneration written into your DNA
A tripeptide-copper complex that supports skin regeneration and wound healing.
Educational content. This page describes GHK-Cu for informational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult a licensed provider before starting, stopping, or modifying any therapy.
GHK-Cu (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex) is a naturally occurring tripeptide-copper complex discovered in 1973 by Dr. Loren Pickart. It consists of three amino acids (glycine, histidine, and lysine) bound to a copper(II) ion with extraordinarily high affinity. Found naturally in plasma, saliva, and urine, it is released from extracellular matrix proteins during tissue injury.
In healthy young adults, circulating GHK-Cu averages ~200 ng/mL but declines to ~80 ng/mL by age 60, a 60% reduction correlating with diminished tissue repair capacity. This age-related decline has driven interest in supplementation for restoring regenerative capacity. The peptide has been studied for over four decades.
GHK-Cu delivers bioavailable copper to cells in a chelated form that prevents copper's redox toxicity while enabling its function as an essential enzymatic cofactor for lysyl oxidase, superoxide dismutase, and cytochrome c oxidase.
It stimulates fibroblasts to produce collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans while simultaneously balancing MMPs and TIMPs for organized remodeling. It also increases stem cell markers p63 and integrin receptors in basal keratinocytes.
Most remarkably, GHK-Cu modulates expression of ~31% of human genes, partly through HDAC inhibition. It upregulates 47 DNA repair genes, suppresses pro-inflammatory fibrinogen, and activates the ubiquitin-proteasome system.
Regeneration written into your DNA
GHK-Cu delivers bioavailable copper as an enzymatic cofactor while modulating ~31% of the human genome through HDAC inhibition and epigenetic reprogramming. It stimulates collagen/elastin synthesis, promotes angiogenesis through VEGF/bFGF, suppresses NF-kappaB inflammation, activates stem cell markers, and enhances damaged protein clearance, resetting cellular function toward a younger phenotype.
Key studies supporting the therapeutic use of this peptide.
12 weeks of GHK-Cu cream improved skin density, thickness, reduced laxity. Improved collagen in 70% vs 50% for vitamin C and 40% for retinoic acid.
Pickart L, Margolina A — Int J Mol Sci, 19(7):1987 (2018) · PubMed
Dose-dependent increases in collagen (~9-fold), DNA, GAGs. Collagen synthesis exceeded non-collagen protein by 2-fold.
Maquart FX, Bellon G, Chaqour B, et al. — J Clin Invest, 92(5):2368-76 (1993) · PubMed
GHK-Cu at 1 nM restored proliferation to near-normal and increased VEGF/bFGF above untreated normal cells.
Pollard JD, Quan S, Kang T, Koch RJ — Arch Facial Plast Surg, 7(1):27-31 (2005) · PubMed
Reduced ROS, increased SOD, decreased TNF-alpha/IL-6, attenuated inflammation through NF-kappaB suppression.
Park JR, Lee H, Kim SI, Yang SR — Oncotarget, 7(36):58405-58417 (2016) · PubMed
Typical protocols used in clinical practice. Always consult a licensed provider for personalized dosing.
Topical (serum/cream)
Subcutaneous Injection
Topical (serum/cream): Most studied route; gradual improvements
Subcutaneous Injection: Limited clinical data for injectable
Topical benefits develop gradually over 8-12 weeks. Improvements are structural (collagen) rather than immediately visible.
Injectable GHK-Cu is in Category 2 of the FDA's 503A bulk drug substances evaluation, reflecting limited human safety data for that route. HHS withdrew it from Category 2 in April 2026 for PCAC re-evaluation; outcome pending.
Avoid combining topical GHK-Cu with retinoids, AHAs, or high-dose vitamin C.
Extensive history of safe topical use. Non-irritant, non-allergen, non-carcinogenic in cosmetic studies.
Injectable safety far less established. FDA identified injectable GHK-Cu as presenting potential significant safety risks.
Wilson's disease is an absolute contraindication. Patients with liver disease or hemochromatosis should avoid GHK-Cu.
See how GHK-Cu compares to peptides with overlapping benefits.
| Peptide | Primary Use | Administration | Cycle Length | Key Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GHK-Cu | Anti-Aging & Recovery | Topical, Injection | 8–12 weeks | Only peptide demonstrated to modulate ~31% of human genes, epigenetically resetting cellular function toward a younger phenotype |
| SS-31 (Elamipretide) | Mitochondrial Restoration & Anti-Aging | Injection (daily) | Continuous (weeks to months) | Only peptide that directly targets cardiolipin on the inner mitochondrial membrane to restore electron transport chain efficiency |
| Sermorelin | Anti-Aging & GH Restoration | Injection (daily) | 3–6 months | Only GHRH analog with FDA approval history and multi-decade safety record, uniquely preserving natural GH feedback |
| Glutathione | Antioxidant & Detoxification | IV, Oral, Sublingual | Ongoing supplementation | The body's own master antioxidant, with clinical data supporting oral bioavailability (challenging earlier assumptions) and dramatic immune cell activation at high doses |
| BPC-157 | Recovery & Healing | Injection, Oral | 4–8 weeks | Uniquely stable in gastric acid; broad multi-system healing with human IBD trial data |
Current FDA classification and compounding eligibility.
This substance is in Category 1 of the FDA's 503A bulk drug substances evaluation. Licensed 503A pharmacies may compound it under FDA enforcement discretion while the agency continues its review.
Only the injectable form is pending reclassification. Topical GHK-Cu is already in Category 1 and compoundable today.
In April 2026, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that nominators withdrew 12 peptides from Category 2 of the FDA's 503A bulk drug substances evaluation, including this one. The FDA referred them to its Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee (PCAC) for re-evaluation at meetings beginning July 2026. If PCAC recommends Category 1 status and the FDA agrees, licensed 503A pharmacies could compound it under FDA enforcement discretion again. The outcome is not final.
Split status: topical GHK-Cu is in Category 1 and licensed 503A pharmacies may compound it under FDA enforcement discretion. Injectable GHK-Cu is in Category 2 due to immunogenicity and impurity concerns; 503A compounding carries FDA enforcement risk, so most pharmacies decline to prepare it.
Listed as Category 1 for non-injectable routes; Category 2 for injectable routes of administration
Last verified April 12, 2026. PepHookup tracks public FDA actions. This is not legal or medical advice.
Looking into GHK-Cu? Find a provider who knows this peptide and can walk you through your options.
Find a ProviderA mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide that stabilizes cardiolipin to support cellular energy.
FDA-approved as Forzinity for Barth syndrome in 2025; the first mitochondria-targeted therapeutic approved.
A 29-residue GHRH analog that prompts the pituitary to release endogenous growth hormone.
Formerly marketed as Geref for pediatric GH deficiency; discontinued in 2008 for commercial reasons.
A tripeptide antioxidant central to cellular redox, detoxification, and immune function.
Produced endogenously and supplemented via IV, injection, or oral routes; clinical evidence remains mixed.