Pure powder · Singular solution
INCI: Copper Tripeptide-1
Active Peptide’s founding product (GHK-Cu 1:1, about 14% copper): a single-compound blue crystalline copper tripeptide that repairs damaged skin, supports collagen and dermal substrates, and improves elasticity, thickness and firmness.
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Technical data
Verified peptide notation
Molecular identity
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Physical form
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Performance
Efficiently repairs damaged skin by promoting the production of critical skin proteins such as collagen and dermal substrates, reducing wrinkles and increasing skin thickness and elasticity.
Several controlled facial studies confirm the anti-aging, firming and anti-wrinkle activity of GHK-Cu. Abdulghani et al. established that facial cream containing GHK-Cu increased collagen in photoaged skin in 20 female volunteers, performing better than vitamin C and retinoic acid. Leyden et al. ran a 12-week face and eye cream study and reported significant improvement in skin laxity, clarity, density and thickness, and reduced fine lines and wrinkles versus placebo.
Company efficacy testing with 0.1% Active Peptide GHK-Cu recorded average facial roughness reduced by 19.91% at day 14 and 32.00% at day 28. In cell testing at 0.31 mg/mL, relative viability reached 2.8 times the negative control for HaCaT cells and 2.5 times for HDFn cells.
GHK-Cu 1:1 is a single compound (INCI Copper Tripeptide-1, CAS 89030-95-5) purified by recrystallization, with about 14% copper. GHK-Cu 2:1 is a mixture of GHK HCl and GHK-Cu 1:1 (INCI Bis(Tripeptide-1) Copper Acetate, CAS 130120-57-9), formed by lyophilization and mixing, with about 7% copper. No published article describes functional differences between the two.
View GHK-Cu 2:1 →In September 2021, Active Peptide co-founder Janet Du interviewed Dr. Loren Pickart, the scientist who discovered GHK, in Seattle. He discusses the history of copper peptide research; the interview is general scientific context, not product-specific clinical testing.
Our patented technologies let us grow large, high-purity copper peptide crystals (patent CN113150066B).
Abdulghani et al. established that facial cream containing GHK-Cu increased collagen in photoaged skin in 20 female volunteers, performing better than vitamin C and retinoic acid.
Abdulghani AA, Sherr S, Shirin S, Solodkina G, Tapia EM, Gottlieb AB. Disease Manag Clin Outcomes. 1998;1:136-141.
Leyden et al. reported significant improvement of skin laxity, clarity and appearance, skin density and thickness, and reduced fine lines and wrinkles compared with placebo. GHK-Cu eye cream performed better than vitamin K cream.
Leyden J, Stephens T, Finkey MB, Appa Y, Barkovic S. Amer Academy Dermat Meeting, February 2002, Abstract P68, P69.
Finkley et al. reported that GHK-Cu cream applied twice daily improved the appearance of aged skin, increased thickness, reduced wrinkles and stimulated dermal keratinocyte proliferation; the study found GHK-Cu non-toxic and non-irritating.
Finkley MB, Appa Y, Bhandarkar S. Cosmeceuticals and Active Cosmetics, 2nd ed., Marcel Dekker, 2005:549-563.
Published studies of GHK-Cu generally; they are not studies of Active Peptide products. Cosmetic ingredient — not intended to diagnose or treat any condition.
Use cases
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