For your skin
A signal peptide that tells your skin to make more collagen and elastin. Quiet but consistent firmness support over months of daily use.
Want the science? Keep reading ↓Mechanism of action
Tripeptide-copper complex that binds receptors on fibroblasts and signals upregulation of collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis.
Why we tier this moderate
6 cited papers across 3 countries. The mechanism is well-described and there's at least one controlled trial in the literature, but we tier this Moderate rather than Strong to stay honest about how many specific papers we cite directly.
Cited research
Patel MN et al., An Assessment of the Safety, Efficacy, and Tolerability of a Novel Scalp Treatment Regimen Combining a Hydroxy Acid-Based Scrub and Copper Tripeptide Serum in the Management of Seborrheic Dermatitis in Adults, Cureus 2024;16(9):e70108 — 15-day interventional study: copper tripeptide regimen reduced flaking, improved hydration in seborrheic dermatitis
Jiang F et al., Synergy of GHK-Cu and hyaluronic acid on collagen IV upregulation via fibroblast and ex-vivo skin tests, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2023;22(9):2598-2604 — in vitro + ex vivo: GHK-Cu + HA promoted collagen I, IV, and VII; 25.4-fold collagen IV increase in fibroblasts
Dou Y et al., The potential of GHK as an anti-aging peptide, Aging Pathobiology and Therapeutics 2020;2(1):58-61 — narrative review of GHK-Cu's anti-inflammatory and tissue-remodeling mechanisms
Pickart L, Margolina A, Regenerative and protective actions of the GHK-Cu peptide in the light of the new gene data, International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2018;19(7):1987 — comprehensive review of GHK-Cu's gene-expression effects on tissue regeneration, wound healing, and collagen synthesis
Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A, GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration, BioMed Research International 2015;2015:648108 — GHK stimulates collagen, dermatan/chondroitin sulfate; tightens loose skin while improving elasticity, density, firmness
Pickart L, The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling, Journal of Biomaterials Science Polymer Edition 2008;19(8):969-88 — GHK-Cu promotes wound healing and tissue restoration by recruiting repair cells, reducing inflammation, stimulating protein synthesis
Sources: PubMed · KCI · J-Stage · CNKI · Wanfang · SFD · MFDS · Cochrane · SCCS · CIR. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for what each outcome label means.