Ingredient Encyclopedia

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Discover what’s inside your skincare — from retinol to aloe vera — with clear guides on benefits, uses, and safety.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Copper Peptides (GHK-Cu) – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Copper Peptides (1$C_{14}H_{22}CuN_{6}O_{4}$), specifically GHK-Cu, are among the most biologically sophisticated molecules in dermatology.2 A tripeptide consisting of glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, it has a high affinity for copper, forming a complex that occurs naturally in human plasma.3 It acts as a "signaling molecule" that modulates the expression of a vast array of genes involved in skin remodeling.4 Unlike ingredients that simply provide building blocks, GHK-Cu instructs the skin to "reset" its repair cycles—upregulating collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans while simultaneously stimulating antioxidant enzymes like Superoxide Dismutase.5 Its signature deep blue color is a natural result of the copper ions binding to the peptide chain.6