Copper peptide (GHK-Cu), also known as liver cell growth factor, is the naturally occurring tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine in a complex with copper (II), for which it has a strong affinity. GHK-Cu is found in human plasma, where it is thought to promote a range of beneficial effects, including wound healing, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. 

Benefits

In skin fibroblasts GHK-Cu promotes collagen production, glycosaminoglycan synthesis and blood vessels growth. GHK-Cu has found a use in the cosmetics industry, where its collagen production stimulating effect is used in anti-aging/reparative skin creams. GHK-Cu also exhibits therapeutic effect on hair loss.

Copper peptides, in the carrier category, are a tri-peptide (made up of three amino acids) bound to copper that "carry" minerals to the skin, explains cosmetic chemist and co-author of Skincare Decoded Gloria Lu. "The most popular copper peptide used in skin care is GHK-Cu, which has been linked to an assortment of skin benefits such as improved elasticity, reduction of wrinkles, and the improvement of skin roughness," she says.

These benefits are due to the fact that copper peptides boast antioxidant and collagen-boosting properties. "They deliver minerals to the skin and have been shown in studies to induce collagen production and reduce collagen breakdown," says Dr. Libby. "This is likely because copper is known to be a critical component involved in the formation of enzymes like superoxide dismutase, which is a potent antioxidant found in the skin, and lysyl oxidase, an enzyme that helps form collagen."