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Copper Tripeptide

GHK-Cu

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Overview

Appears endogenously and is widely studied in vitro for skin remodeling; topical cosmetic use is common, systemic therapeutic claims are not established by controlled trials.

How it works

GHK-Cu is a tiny three-amino-acid peptide that occurs naturally in the body and binds copper. It's best understood as a signaling and copper-delivery molecule for skin and connective tissue.

In laboratory and skin studies it switches on a broad set of genes involved in rebuilding the extracellular matrix — boosting collagen and elastin production, supporting new blood-vessel growth, and activating antioxidant and wound-healing programs. This is the basis for its widespread use in topical skincare.

The evidence is strongest for those in-vitro and topical cosmetic effects. Claims of systemic, whole-body therapeutic benefit are not established by controlled human trials, so it's best viewed as a well-supported cosmetic ingredient with unproven systemic uses.

Mechanism · Detailed Analysis
Molecular targetA copper(II)-binding tripeptide that delivers copper and modulates extracellular-matrix gene programs.
Signaling & downstream effectsIn vitro it upregulates collagen/elastin/glycosaminoglycan synthesis, angiogenesis, and antioxidant and wound-healing genes.
PharmacokineticsOccurs endogenously; topical cosmetic use is common.
Evidence & caveatsIn-vitro and topical evidence is substantial; systemic therapeutic efficacy is not established by controlled trials.
Published EvidenceLoading cited studies from PubMed…
Human Data ···

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Animal ···

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In Vitro ···

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Educational aggregation of public literature. Not medical advice and not a recommendation to use any compound. Many compounds here are not approved for human use. Consult a licensed clinician.