GHK-Cu (copper tripeptide-1) is a naturally occurring tripeptide-copper complex studied in tissue-repair and skin research.
You have probably already touched this one without knowing. It is the peptide that actually crossed over onto real shelves.
Copper-binding peptide with repair signaling.
GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-carrying peptide that declines with age; it works by delivering copper to cells and signaling genes in skin fibroblasts to boost collagen, elastin, and tissue-repair activity. Most of the solid human evidence is for topical use on skin.
Topical GHK-Cu most commonly causes mild local redness, tingling, dryness, or irritation (especially at concentrations above 4%), while injectable use may cause local redness, swelling, warmth, or a slight blue-tinted bruise, with systemic effects being rare and not well characterized in published trials.
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have active cancer, have a copper metabolism disorder like Wilson's disease, are allergic to copper, or have an active skin infection at the application site should avoid GHK-Cu or consult a clinician first.
No specific bloodwork or monitoring schedule is stated. [Source: Peptide Dosing Protocols]
These are figures published elsewhere, reproduced with their source. Peppersite does not recommend an amount for GHK-Cu or for anything else, and nothing below has been checked against the study it came from.
| Amount | Frequency | Route | Reported by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 mg SC daily, or topical application | once daily30-day cycles · 30-day cycles | subcutaneous or topical | Commonly published practitioner dosing range - provider confirmation required. |
| Topical: 0.01-1% in cream/serum; SC injection: 1-2 mg daily | Topical: once or twice daily; SC: once dailyRepeatable | subcutaneous or oral or topical | Peptide Protocol WikiWhat it saysHide(secondary reference; provider confirmation required). |
| Standard: 1.0-1.5 mg · Low: 1.0 mg · High: 2.0 mg | Daily4-6 weeks · 4-8 weeks | Subcutaneous injection | Peptide Dosing ProtocolsWhat it saysHide(secondary reference; provider confirmation required). The standard dosing for GHK-Cu is 1.0-1.5 mg daily for 4-6 weeks. |
| Topical: serum to face and neck twice daily (AM and PM) after cleansing, before moisturizer. Injectable referenced at 200-300 mcg (0.2-0.3 mg) before bedtime in recovery contexts; sterile technique and supervision stressed. Microneedling before topical cited to enhance absorption. | Topical 2x daily; injectable nightly in recovery contexts · Topical AM/PM; injectable before bed | topical or subcutaneous | Peptide Therapy Reference Text, internal KB v4What it saysHide(Aug 2026), secondary reference; provider confirmation required. |
GHK-Cu is a small peptide made of three amino acids (glycine, histidine, lysine) bound to a copper ion.
No. GHK-Cu is not an FDA-approved drug.
Community-derived research planning typically uses 1-2 mg per day subcutaneous for injectable workflows and 1-3% topical formulations.
Topical is the more evidence-supported route, especially for skin endpoints.
A common pattern is a 50 mg vial reconstituted with 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water.
Check 50 mg in 2 mL in the calculator →Topical effects are usually mild and local: redness, tingling, dryness, or transient irritation.
Topical trials measured skin endpoints at 8-12 weeks.
GHK-Cu, BPC-157, and TB-500 are commonly combined in the GLOW stack.
The reference sections above are imported from our compound knowledge base, which classes the evidence for GHK-Cu as emerging. That classification is the knowledge base’s, not ours, our own grade appears only where an audit is linked above. Research use only; nothing here is medical advice or a protocol.
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Peptide blend of GHK-Cu, BPC-157, and TB-500, studied for skin quality, tissue repair, and recovery.
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