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Skin & cosmetic

GHK-Cu and Copper Peptides

Topical cosmetic: sold legally · Injectable: not authorized Evidence 2/4
GHK-Cu and Copper Peptides peptide structure illustration (abstract amino-acid chain)
In short

A natural copper-binding tripeptide used in skin and hair-care products. As a cosmetic cream it's an ordinary ingredient; as an injection, Health Canada lists it among seized unauthorized peptides.

Reviewed November 10, 2026 · 6 sources cited below

Also known ascopper tripeptide-1
CategorySkin & cosmetic
Canada statusTopical cosmetic: sold legally · Injectable: not authorized
Human evidence Topical: limited (cosmetic studies); injectable: very limited
Last reviewedNovember 10, 2026

How strong is the human evidence?

Topical: limited (cosmetic studies); injectable: very limited. How we rate evidence

What is GHK-Cu and Copper Peptides?

GHK is a tripeptide found in human plasma, saliva and urine; levels decline with age. It binds copper (GHK-Cu).

Reviews by Pickart and colleagues describe effects on collagen and wound healing in lab and animal studies, and cosmetic benefits in topical products. The lead author is affiliated with a skin-care company, which readers should weigh.

Is GHK-Cu and Copper Peptides legal in Canada?

Topical copper-peptide skin care is sold as cosmetics; Health Canada classifies products by intended purpose, claims and route. Injectable GHK-Cu is a drug, and Health Canada lists GHK-Cu among unauthorized peptides and seized injectables.

See how Health Canada regulates peptides.

What the research shows

  • Cosmetic studies summarized in the Pickart reviews report improvements in firmness, fine lines and photodamage with topical products.
  • A 2026 systematic review of GHK-Cu with microneedle delivery calls for expanded clinical trials, which signals the evidence is still early.

What it doesn't show

  • No good evidence supports injecting GHK-Cu for anti-ageing, hair or healing.
  • Claims about thousands of genes come from gene-expression analyses, not clinical outcomes.

Common questions

Are copper peptides legal in Canada?

Copper-peptide skin-care products are sold legally as cosmetics. Injectable GHK-Cu is not authorized.

Do copper peptides work for hair growth?

Evidence is mostly lab-based and from small cosmetic studies.

Copper peptides vs retinol?

Retinoids have a larger clinical evidence base for photoageing; copper peptides have smaller studies. A dermatologist can advise.

Sources

  1. Health Canada — Peptides: Overview
  2. Health Canada advisory RA-81874 (Apr 9, 2026): Think twice before injecting peptides bought online
  3. Health Canada — Classification of products at the cosmetic-drug interface
  4. Pickart L et al. GHK peptide as a natural modulator of multiple cellular pathways in skin regeneration. Biomed Res Int 2015
  5. Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and protective actions of the GHK-Cu peptide. Int J Mol Sci 2018
  6. Najafi N et al. Systematic review of GHK-Cu in topical microneedle delivery. 2026

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