The peptide in skincare labels
GHK-Cu (copper peptide)
A three-amino-acid peptide found naturally in human blood, which holds tightly onto copper.
- Size
- 3 amino acids (a tripeptide)
- Made of
- Glycine, histidine and lysine, plus copper
- Discovered
- 1973
- On labels as
- Copper Tripeptide-1
The story
In 1973, scientist Loren Pickart was studying why blood from younger people seemed to affect liver tissue differently in the lab. He tracked the effect down to a tiny peptide made of just three amino acids: glycine, histidine and lysine, or GHK for short.
GHK turned out to have a very strong attraction to copper. When it holds a copper ion, it's called GHK-Cu.
Good to know
Today, GHK-Cu is best known as a skincare ingredient. On ingredient lists it appears as "Copper Tripeptide-1", and you'll find it in serums and creams in Australia, often with a blue tint from the copper.
In Australia, a peptide product counts as a cosmetic or a therapeutic good depending on how it's used and what's claimed about it. The TGA explains the difference.
Did you know?
The copper in GHK-Cu is what gives many copper peptide serums their distinctive blue colour.