GHK-Cu
Skin, hair and anti-aging peptide
Also known as GHK, Copper peptide
- Evidence grade
- CSmall or early human studies onlyScale
- Half-life
- Not well characterized in humans
- Schedule
- Once daily, subcutaneous
- Maintenance amount
- 1.50 mg
- Vial sizes sold
- 50 mg, 100 mg
- Cost per dose
- $1.29
Where a value is not established in people, this table says so rather than filling the box.
A copper binding tripeptide widely studied in skin, wound and regeneration research.
GHK-Cu is a tiny three amino acid peptide bound to a copper ion. It occurs naturally in the body and drops with age. In research it signals tissue remodeling, supports collagen and elastin production and shows antioxidant and wound healing activity. Most of the strong evidence is topical, on skin and hair. Injectable use is research only.
Most human evidence is from topical skin use; controlled injectable human trials are lacking.
- Studied topically for skin firmness, wrinkle appearance and elasticity.
- Studied for wound healing and collagen production.
- Research links it to gene activity tied to tissue remodeling and repair.
- Studied for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in skin.
- Topical use can cause irritation or contact sensitivity in some people.
- Injected use lacks safety data and is not established.
- Excess copper exposure is a theoretical concern with systemic dosing.
- Product concentration and stability vary across sources.
A summary of the research, not medical advice. Individual benefits and risks vary, and for some of these compounds the human evidence is still early.
A batch of GHK-Cu from Quartz Peptides we sent out for independent testing. Method: RP-HPLC (C18 column, DAD detection at 214 nm) for purity, LC-MS for identity confirmation.
| Batch | QP-GHK-2606-01 |
| Purity | 99.424% (standard >98%) |
| Net content | 53.76 mg (labeled ~50 mg) |
| Identity | Confirmed by LC-MS |
| Testing lab | Kovera Labs |
| Certified | July 8, 2026 |
This is one batch on one date, not a guarantee for every unit sold. Run the same check yourself, every time, using our COA guide.
Most controlled evidence on GHK-Cu comes from topical skin studies rather than injectable human trials. Reported experience with topical use commonly describes early changes in skin texture within two to four weeks, with more noticeable firmness and tone changes reported over eight to twelve weeks.
Read the full timeline →Drawn from published trial data and how the research community commonly describes this stretch. Not a fixed schedule and not medical advice.
Goal of the protocol. Explored for skin renewal, collagen support and wound healing.
Once daily, subcutaneous. For research reference only, not medical advice.
| Phase | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ongoing | 1–2 mg daily |
The strong evidence is topical; injectable amounts reflect reference practice only.
A rough shopping estimate at the maintenance amount. Your real needs shift with your dose and titration.
| Item | 8-week plan | 12-week plan | 16-week plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peptide vials (50 mg) | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Insulin syringes (U-100) | 56 | 84 | 112 |
| Bacteriostatic water (10 mL) | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Alcohol swabs (100-count box) | 1 | 1 | 2 |
What a course of GHK-Cu actually costs, worked from list price and the amount in the schedule above, plus the whole vials a 12-week run would take.
| Supplier | Vial | Price | Per mg | Per dose | 12 weeks | Independent test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BioEdge Research Labs | 50 mg | $59 | $1.18 | $1.77 | $177 (3 vials) | None on file |
| Quartz Peptides | 50 mg | $43 | $0.86 | $1.29 | $129 (3 vials) | Tested, 99.424% |
List prices, checked September 4, 2026. Sale pricing is ignored on purpose so the table does not swing week to week. Verify before ordering.
Suppliers are listed alphabetically. We do not rank them by price, because the cheapest vial and the one worth buying are rarely the same thing. The column that matters is the last one, and today most of it reads "none on file", including for Quartz Peptides, which is owned by this site’s editor. See the disclosure and the COA guide.
Lyophilized: Keep the sealed powder cool and dark, near -20 °C where possible, dry and out of light.
Reconstituted: Refrigerate the mixed vial at 2 to 8 °C, use within a few weeks and avoid freeze and thaw.
Let a cold vial reach room temperature before you open it, so it takes on less condensation.
How strong is the evidence for GHK-Cu?
We grade it C on a four-point scale. The strong evidence is topical. Controlled injectable trials are lacking.
What is the half-life of GHK-Cu?
It is not well characterized in humans. Published pharmacokinetic data for GHK-Cu is thin, so any specific figure you see quoted should be treated with caution.
What amount of GHK-Cu is used in the research?
Ongoing: 1–2 mg daily. The strong evidence is topical; injectable amounts reflect reference practice only.
How much does GHK-Cu cost?
A 50 mg vial lists at $43 from Quartz Peptides, which works out to $0.86 per mg and about $1.29 per dose at the amount used in research. Prices checked September 4, 2026. Price is not a quality signal, so check the certificate of analysis before ordering from anyone.
How is GHK-Cu stored once reconstituted?
Refrigerate the mixed vial at 2 to 8 °C, use within a few weeks and avoid freeze and thaw.
