GHK-Cu
copper peptide · copper peptide GHK-Cu · copper tripeptide · copper tripeptide-1 · glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper · glycyl-histidyl-lysine copper
Coming soon
What GHK-Cu is
GHK-Cu is the small peptide glycyl-histidyl-lysine (Gly-His-Lys) bound to a copper(II) ion. The peptide was first isolated from human plasma by Loren Pickart and colleagues, who reported in 1979 that copper and iron came out of plasma together with it. Products sold today are made synthetically, and the complex is used as a cosmetic ingredient under the INCI name copper tripeptide-1.
Most of the research on GHK-Cu comes from cell and animal studies. Controlled human studies are few and small, and recent reviews describe the clinical evidence as limited. GHK-Cu is not an FDA-approved drug; FDA lists GHK-Cu (except for injectable routes) as a substance under evaluation for pharmacy compounding. Because it is a peptide-metal complex, a vial can differ from its label in more ways than a plain peptide: it may be plain GHK, hold a different copper ratio, or contain unbound copper. Lot testing is how those differences are found.
| Sequence | Gly-His-Lys |
|---|---|
| One-letter code | GHK |
| Length | 3 amino acids |
| Molecular formula | C14H23CuN6O4+ |
| Molecular weight | ≈402.92 Da |
| Expected m/z | [set when the lab validates the method] |
Modifications and look-alikes
Modifications
Copper(II) complex of the free tripeptide GHK (no amidation, acetylation or other covalent modification). Free GHK (apo-peptide): C14H24N6O4, average MW 340.38 Da, monoisotopic 340.1859 Da, CAS 49557-75-7. The 1:1 complex is also written as the neutral C14H22CuN6O4 (about 401.91 Da), CAS 89030-95-5; sources differ on how many protons are shown as removed, so the listed formula and mass depend on the charge state drawn.
What it gets confused with
GHK-Cu (copper complex) vs plain GHK (no copper): both are sold, and some listings labelled "copper peptide" carry the CAS number, formula and mass of plain GHK. Salt and counter-ion forms (e.g. acetate, hydrochloride) change the weighed mass per milligram of peptide. The copper-to-peptide ratio can vary between products, and a product may contain unbound (free) copper alongside the complex. "Copper peptide" is also used for other copper-binding peptides and for derivatives such as palmitoyl-GHK (Pal-GHK), which are different molecules.
Identity sources: pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · pubchemlite.lcsb.uni.lu · go.drugbank.com · en.wikipedia.org
Regulatory status. Not an FDA-approved drug. Used as a cosmetic ingredient under the INCI name copper tripeptide-1. On FDA's list of bulk drug substances nominated for 503A pharmacy compounding (updated May 14, 2026), 'GHK-Cu (except for injectable routes of administration)' is in Category 1, under evaluation.
Read the research summary and referencesGHK-Cu test results
Every lot we have tested, newest first. Summaries are free; the full COA is emailed to you.
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Vialidate Labs reports analytical results only. Nothing on this page is medical advice or a recommendation to use any compound.