How it works
GHK is a tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) that forms a stable complex with Cu²⁺. The complex is naturally present in human plasma at concentrations that decline measurably with age. In dermal research, GHK-Cu has been documented to engage copper-dependent signaling in fibroblasts, with effects on collagen I and III synthesis, decorin expression, MMP regulation, and antioxidant gene transcription. The copper ion is integral to activity — uncomplexed GHK does not produce equivalent effects.
Learn more about the science →Certificate of Analysis+
Identity by LC-MS, copper content by atomic absorption spectroscopy, purity by HPLC, endotoxin by LAL, appearance. Third-party ISO-17025 verified.
View full certificate →Specifications+
Storage & handling+
Lyophilized: −20°C, 24 months. Protect from light. Reconstituted: 2–8°C, 21 days. Solution is faint blue-green. Bacteriostatic water; swirl, do not shake.
We ship in insulated parcels with phase-change cooling and a tamper-evident seal.
FAQs+
Why does GHK-Cu look slightly blue?+
The copper(II) ion. Strong color or cloudiness indicates degradation.
Is the copper in GHK-Cu the same as a copper supplement?+
No. GHK-Cu is a defined coordination complex held in a specific geometry by the tripeptide. The geometry is what produces the observed signaling effects.
How does GHK-Cu compare to Glow?+
Glow is GHK-Cu plus ancillary peptides as a formulation. GHK-Cu standalone is the unblended compound — preferred when investigators want to control composition exactly.
Does the COA verify copper content separately from peptide identity?+
Yes. Atomic absorption spectroscopy confirms the copper-to-peptide stoichiometry.
What's the typical reconstitution concentration?+
Common preparation: 2 mL bacteriostatic water per 100mg vial, yielding 50 mg/mL.
Is GHK-Cu stable at room temperature?+
Briefly. Mildly photosensitive and thermally sensitive — cold storage, light protection, short post-reconstitution windows.
The research behind this compound, cited in full.
Provided for context only. None of the studies cited below evaluate hábit material specifically; they document the published literature on the compound and its mechanism. Research-use claims are not therapeutic claims.
- [01] Pickart L. & Margolina A. Int J Mol Sci 19 (2018): 1987.
- [02] Pickart L. et al. Biomed Res Int 2015: 648108.
- [03] Maquart FX. et al. FEBS Lett 238 (1988): 343–346.
- [04] Pollard JD. et al. J Cosmet Sci 56 (2005): 291–299.
Verified buyer notes
Initials only — every quote is verified against an order record. We don’t ghost-write reviews.
“COA matched what we ran in-house. Powder reconstituted clean, no haze. Did exactly what we needed it to.”
“Switched after two bad lots from a previous source. Three orders in, zero issues.”
“Asked support a purity question and got the raw HPLC trace back within the hour. That transparency is why we reorder.”