GHK
Copper tripeptide complex naturally found in plasma. Declines with age and plays roles in collagen synthesis and antioxidant activity; reviews report accelerated wound healing in rats, mice, pigs and dogs.
Regulatory status (as of Sept 2026)
Slated for a PCAC review (503A bulks) before end of Feb 2027; not FDA-approved as a drug. Topical cosmetic use is not drug approval.
See the FDA peptide regulatory tracker · Read our July 27, 2026 dispatch on the FDA PCAC peptide vote4 studies referenced · Last reviewed Oct 1, 2026 · Reviewed by The Peptide Dispatch Editorial Team · How we research & label content
GHK-Cu is mainly used as a cosmetic skin-care ingredient. Copper tripeptide complex naturally found in plasma.
| Half-life | Not established in published research |
|---|---|
| How it's given in studies | Subcutaneous or topical |
| Research stage | Cosmetic/topical |
| Dosing | Published research: Topical cosmetic formulations in humans detailsTopical cosmetic formulations in humans; 0.3 or 3 mg/mL intra-articular weekly x4 in rat ACL reconstruction model; systemic wound healing in rats, mice, pigs (reviews)Community-reportedCommunity-reported: 1–3 mg, subcutaneous or topical |
Published-research dosing is what was given in the cited studies (species and units as reported). Community-reported dosing is what users describe, not from clinical studies. Neither is a recommendation. Not medical advice.
Where each point comes from: Clinicalhuman trials and FDA labels Lab / animalrodent, cell and ex vivo studies Community-reporteduser experience and commonly used protocols, not from clinical studies
In plain terms: It is a copper-carrying peptide thought to help skin rebuild collagen, based mostly on lab and animal studies. Proposed mechanisms, from laboratory and animal studies (review, Pickart 2015): GHK acts as a complex with copper(II) and stimulates both synthesis and breakdown of collagen and glycosaminoglycans; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects are reported in in vitro and in vivo studies (Dou 2020). A 2026 systematic review found the evidence largely preclinical (18 of 20 studies; Mokhtar 2026).
How to read this: Each item below is an effect observed in research subjects in the cited studies — think of Dexter, our stand-in research subject. These are findings from the literature, not results you should expect, and not medical advice.
Community-reportedIn user communities, GHK-Cu is typically run at 1–3 mg (subcutaneous or topical). This is not a recommendation.
Community reports are anecdotal, vary widely in product quality and purity, and are not medical advice. Talk to a licensed provider.
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| Peptide | Half-Life | Route | Research Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| GHK-Cu | No published PK data found | Subcutaneous or topical | Cosmetic/topical |
| ARA-290 (Cibinetide) | No published PK data found | Subcutaneous injection, Intravenous | Phase 2 |
| BPC-157 | Elimination t1/2 < 30 min (rats and beagle dogs, IV and IM); IM bioavailability ~14-19% rats, 45-51% dogs | Subcutaneous injection | Preclinical (animal) |
| Copper Peptide AHK-Cu | Topical (not systemically relevant) | Topical | In vitro only |
| Pentapeptide-18 | Unknown | Topical | Cosmetic/topical |
Values reflect figures reported in published research. Compare any peptides side-by-side →
This peptide belongs to the Healing category. View All Healing Peptides
Anti-Aging
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Dosing, half-life figures, and mechanism descriptions on this page are compiled from peer-reviewed published research, with the species and study type stated where reported. Figures labeled “Dosing used in published research” describe what was given in those studies and do not constitute dosing recommendations for any human use. Each cited paper is listed with DOI and PubMed links in the References section above. Found an error? Contact us.