19 stories
GHK-Cu (glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine copper complex) is a tripeptide-copper complex with a long history in dermal cosmetic formulations and a much shorter one in regulated medicine. It binds copper ions in a way that affects collagen synthesis, antioxidant enzyme activity, and skin remodeling — at least in vitro.
The regulatory and clinical picture has tightened in 2025 and 2026. The PCAC has heard public comment on GHK-Cu's place on the 503A bulks list. State medical boards have moved against clinics injecting it as a research peptide. The cosmetic-peptide market continues to use it freely in topical products under various naming conventions.
Stories here cover regulatory action, dermatology research, and the gap between cosmetic-grade evidence and clinical-grade evidence. See #copper-peptide, #cosmetic-peptide, and #skincare for adjacent threads.
Dermatology Times Q&A explores advances in GHK-Cu delivery for skincare, discussing how the peptide complexes with copper in human plasma and new formulation approaches to improve topical efficacy.