What is Copper tripeptide-1?
Copper tripeptide-1 is the peptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (GHK) bound to a copper ion. Papers often call it GHK-Cu or tripeptide-copper complex (TCC).
The 2014 formulation study describes GHK-Cu as highly water-loving, and its authors point to a carrier to deliver it into skin.
How it is thought to work
In rat wounds, the copper peptide gel reduced wound area faster than untreated controls. By day 13, wound area had fallen by 64.5% in the peptide group, 45.6% in the vehicle-only group and 28.2% in the controls.
The vehicle gel also helped, and the peptide group beat it on some days but not all. The peptide’s share of the benefit is smaller than the headline numbers suggest.
What the studies show
Every record below was checked against the paper. Where a result is from cells, animals or a combination product, the entry says so.
Canapp SO, et al. Vet Surg. 2003;32(6):515–523. (opens in a new tab)
Design. Study in 24 male rats with full-thickness wounds on ischaemic skin flaps. Peptide gel, vehicle and untreated groups, for 13 days.
Finding. The peptide gel reduced wound area more than untreated controls and lowered inflammatory and tissue-breakdown markers. The vehicle gel also improved healing.
Cangul IT, et al. Vet Dermatol. 2006;17(6):417–423. (opens in a new tab)
Design. Study in 18 rabbits with open wounds. Copper peptide, zinc oxide and untreated groups, for 21 days.
Finding. The copper peptide group closed wounds faster than untreated controls and had quicker granulation-tissue cover than the zinc oxide group. The authors call it a better choice for open wounds in rabbits.
Badenhorst T, et al. Pharm Dev Technol. 2014;21(2):152–160. (opens in a new tab)
Design. Laboratory study of solubility, stability and compatibility of GHK-Cu with formulation ingredients.
Finding. GHK-Cu stayed stable in water and buffers for at least two weeks at 60 °C, but broke down under basic and oxidative stress. The authors point to a carrier for skin delivery.
How it is used
Used in serums, creams and wound-care gels. Check the label for Copper Tripeptide-1 or GHK-Cu.
The wound studies used the peptide under controlled conditions. Results in wounds do not show what a cosmetic cream does for wrinkles.
Safety
The animal studies do not discuss side effects in their abstracts. No human safety trial of a topical copper peptide was found in the records checked.
Do not apply it to open or infected wounds without medical advice.
Talk to a doctor, dermatologist or pharmacist before starting a new active, especially if you are pregnant, have a skin condition, or use prescription treatments.
Questions
What is GHK-Cu?
GHK-Cu is copper tripeptide-1: the tripeptide GHK bound to a copper ion. Products may list either name.
Does it help wrinkles?
Its best-known evidence comes from wound and formulation studies. The records checked for this page include no controlled human anti-ageing trial of the peptide alone.