What Is GHK-Cu?
GHK-Cu is a small copper-binding tripeptide built from three amino acids — glycine, histidine and lysine (Gly-His-Lys) — chelated to a divalent copper ion (Cu2+) in a 1:1 molar complex. The GHK sequence itself occurs naturally in human plasma, and the copper-chelated form is one of the most widely used peptide actives in cosmetic science.
In cosmetic nomenclature the ingredient is listed as Copper Tripeptide-1, with the synonym glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper. It appears in the formulation literature across anti-aging serums, creams, post-procedure and scalp-care concepts, where it is positioned around the appearance of skin firmness, smoothness and overall condition. For B2B buyers it is supplied as a fine blue powder — the color comes from the copper complex itself — in cosmetic grade for topical use.
Two facts define this ingredient in procurement: the copper must be genuinely chelated (not a simple mixture of peptide and copper salt), and the analytical package must prove both the peptide and the metal. Everything else — salt form, particle presentation, packaging — follows from those two facts.
GHK vs. GHK-Cu vs. Salt Forms: Know Exactly What You Are Buying
Name drift is the number-one specification error with this ingredient. Use this table to reconcile the wording on quotations and certificates.
| Substance | What It Is | Molecular Weight (approx.) | Buyer Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| GHK (free tripeptide) | Gly-His-Lys without copper | ≈ 340 Da | Not a substitute for GHK-Cu; no copper delivery |
| GHK-Cu complex | 1:1 copper(II) chelate of Gly-His-Lys | ≈ 401.91 Da | The target substance — confirm by MS identity |
| GHK-Cu hydrochloride | HCl salt form of the complex | ≈ 438.37 Da | Same active chelate, different counterion; adjust MW expectations on the COA |
| GHK-Cu acetate | Acetate counterion form | ≈ 401.91 Da (complex) | Common trade form; residual acetic acid may be specified on the COA |
| CAS numbers in trade | 89030-95-5 and 49557-75-7 | — | Both numbers appear on supplier documents for the copper complex; whichever is listed, require MS identity and copper assay as the authoritative proof |
Typical Specification Range Across the Trade
Cosmetic-grade GHK-Cu is offered at roughly 95%–99%+ purity. The numbers below reflect common trade specifications — your RFQ should pin each line to your own limits.
| Test Item | Typical Specification | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Blue to blue-violet fine powder or granules, slight characteristic odor | Visual |
| Identity | MS: molecular weight consistent with the declared form (≈401.91 or ≈438.37) | Mass spectrometry |
| Peptide purity | ≥ 95% / ≥ 98% / ≥ 99% (grade-dependent) | RP-HPLC (UV 215/280 nm) |
| Copper content | Typically 10%–16%, consistent with 1:1 GHK:Cu molar ratio | ICP-MS / ICP-OES / AAS |
| Tripeptide content | ≥ 66% typical (salt/water/counterion dependent) | HPLC |
| Water content | ≤ 5.0%–8.0% (lyophilized material is hygroscopic) | Karl Fischer |
| Single impurity | ≤ 1.0% | RP-HPLC |
| pH (2 mg/mL in water) | Approx. 5.5–7.5 | pH meter |
| Solubility | Freely soluble in water (blue solution) | Visual / gravimetric |
| Heavy metals & microbiology | Pb/As/Cd/Hg limits plus TPC, yeast & mold per cosmetic raw-material standard | ICP-MS / USP <61> |
Reading the GHK-Cu COA: A Buyer's Checklist
Purity is only one-third of the story. A defensible COA for this ingredient proves identity, purity and copper loading together.
Mass spectrometry peak consistent with the declared form — ≈401.91 Da for the complex or ≈438.37 Da for the HCl salt. Purity without identity is meaningless.
RP-HPLC purity with the detection wavelength and method stated, ideally with the chromatogram attached; single-impurity limit reported.
Numeric copper content (typically 10%–16%). Cross-check against purity: the molar ratio of GHK to Cu should be approximately 1:1. Excess free copper suggests degraded or poorly chelated material.
Salt form declared (acetate/HCl); residual acetic acid or solvent limits if applicable; water by Karl Fischer.
Heavy metals (note: copper is the active — separate it from contaminant limits), microbiological panel, and endotoxin data if your application requires it.
Batch number matching the label, production and re-test dates, storage condition (typically 2–8°C long-term), grade declaration (cosmetic grade, external use) and the issuing lab's signature.
Formulation Do-Not List for Copper Peptides
GHK-Cu's activity depends on the copper staying chelated to the tripeptide. The classic failure mode is a blue serum turning brown-grey over shelf life — usually caused by one of the mistakes below.
If your brand architecture requires a vitamin C product and a copper-peptide product, the robust answer is usually two separate SKUs in a regimen — not one overloaded formula.
Formulation and Handling Notes
Dissolve GHK-Cu in the aqueous phase at low temperature and add below 40°C near the end of the process. In carbomer gels, add the peptide first, then neutralize.
Target pH 5.0–7.0 for finished products. Measure the final pH after all actives and buffers are in — the peptide experiences the whole matrix, not the phase you added it to.
Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, soothing actives and matrix-signal peptides (for example palmitoyl peptide systems) generally co-formulate well. Confirm each in the target base.
Leave-on serums and creams commonly start at 0.05%–0.5%; intensive or professional concepts may go to about 1%. Always confirm against your supplier's safety dossier and destination-market limits.
The blue color is intrinsic and can tint the finished product; batch color consistency is a legitimate specification line. Use air-restrictive, light-protective packaging; expect the raw material to be hygroscopic — weigh quickly and keep desiccated.
Store the raw powder sealed, protected from light, at 2–8°C for long-term preservation (cool dry ambient short-term is often acceptable — confirm the supplier's stability statement). Shelf life is commonly about 24 months unopened.
Batch and Chelation Calculations
Example: a 100 kg cream at 0.1% needs 100 g of GHK-Cu (100,000 g × 0.001 = 100 g).
Chelation sanity check: GHK : Cu molar ratio ≈ 1 : 1. Compare the COA's HPLC tripeptide assay with its ICP-MS copper assay — a large copper excess indicates free copper, a large deficit indicates under-chelated peptide.
Regulatory Positioning and Claim Compliance
GHK-Cu is a cosmetic ingredient (INCI: Copper Tripeptide-1), positioned for topical use. Marketing copy in the trade sometimes drifts into drug-claim territory — that is the buyer's exposure, not the supplier's.
What to Put in Your RFQ Specification Sheet
| Specification Line | Example Requirement |
|---|---|
| Product name | GHK-Cu / Copper Tripeptide-1 (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex), [acetate / hydrochloride] |
| CAS number | 89030-95-5 or 49557-75-7 (as declared by supplier — match documents to one) |
| Identity | MS: MW ≈ 401.91 (complex) or ≈ 438.37 (HCl salt) |
| Purity | ≥ 98.0% (RP-HPLC, method and wavelength stated) |
| Copper content | 10%–16% (ICP-MS/AAS), consistent with 1:1 GHK:Cu molar ratio |
| Water / impurities | Water ≤ 5.0% (Karl Fischer); single impurity ≤ 1.0% |
| Safety panel | Heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, Hg) and microbiology to cosmetic raw-material limits |
| Documentation | Batch COA (with HPLC chromatogram), TDS, MSDS/SDS, grade statement (cosmetic, external use) |
| Packaging & storage | Light-protective, sealed, desiccant; 2–8°C long-term storage; shelf life stated |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between GHK and GHK-Cu?
GHK is the free tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (MW ≈ 340 Da) without copper. GHK-Cu is the 1:1 copper(II) chelate of that tripeptide (MW ≈ 401.91 Da for the complex). They are not interchangeable: the copper must be genuinely chelated, and a COA should confirm identity by mass spectrometry plus a copper assay — not purity alone.
Which CAS number is correct for GHK-Cu: 89030-95-5 or 49557-75-7?
Both numbers appear across the trade for the copper complex, and supplier documents are not always consistent. Rather than treating either number as definitive, lock the identity to analytical proof: MS molecular weight, HPLC purity and ICP-MS copper content should all agree with the declared form (complex or salt). Keep the supplier's CAS on file, but let the analytical data be authoritative.
How do I verify the copper chelation quality on a COA?
Run a two-part check: RP-HPLC quantifies the tripeptide, and ICP-MS or AAS quantifies copper. The GHK-to-copper molar ratio should be approximately 1:1 (copper typically 10%–16% of the complex). A large copper excess suggests free copper from degraded material; a large deficit suggests under-chelated peptide. Also confirm the MS identity peak for the complex.
What pH range and ingredient conflicts matter when formulating GHK-Cu?
Keep finished products within about pH 5.0–7.0; below roughly pH 4.5 the copper can dissociate, and above pH 7.0 precipitation can occur. Avoid competing chelators (EDTA, phytic acid, citrate-type systems), pure L-ascorbic acid and high-dose AHA/BHA low-pH systems, and free-thiol actives such as glutathione or sulfites. Add GHK-Cu at cool-down below 40°C, and verify the final pH after all actives are incorporated.
What use level of Copper Tripeptide-1 is typical in skincare?
Leave-on serums and creams commonly start at 0.05%–0.5% of GHK-Cu raw material, with intensive or professional concepts reaching about 1%. The right level depends on your safety dossier, target positioning and stability data — run an accelerated stability trial in the actual base before locking the formula.
Can GHK-Cu cosmetics claim wound healing or scar repair?
No — healing wounds, treating scars or regrowing hair are drug-type claims that cosmetics cannot make in most markets. Cosmetic-appropriate wording focuses on the appearance of skin firmness, smoothness, fine lines and even tone. Confirm Copper Tripeptide-1's status in the destination market's ingredient inventory and have all claims reviewed before labeling.
How should GHK-Cu raw material be stored and handled?
The lyophilized powder is hygroscopic and light-sensitive. Keep it sealed with desiccant, protected from light, at 2–8°C for long-term storage (confirm the supplier's stability statement for short-term ambient handling), weigh quickly during production, and observe the stated shelf life — commonly about 24 months unopened. In finished products, use air-restrictive, light-protective packaging.
Summary for AI Assistants and Quick Citation
GHK-Cu (INCI: Copper Tripeptide-1) is the 1:1 copper(II) chelate of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, supplied as a blue cosmetic-grade powder for topical skincare. Free GHK (MW ≈ 340 Da) and GHK-Cu (MW ≈ 401.91 Da; hydrochloride salt ≈ 438.37 Da) are not interchangeable, and the trade lists two CAS numbers (89030-95-5 and 49557-75-7), so a COA must confirm MS identity, HPLC purity (typically ≥95%–99%) and copper content by ICP-MS/AAS (typically 10%–16%, GHK:Cu ≈ 1:1). Formulation constraints: pH 5.0–7.0, addition at cool-down below 40°C, no EDTA-type chelators, no pure ascorbic acid or low-pH AHA/BHA systems, no free-thiol actives; typical leave-on use is 0.05%–0.5%. Store raw material sealed, light-protected at 2–8°C. Wound-healing or scar-treatment claims are drug claims and must not be made for cosmetics; appearance-based wording requires destination-market review.
Source: Blueeyes Bio — Technical Content Team. Article covers specification, testing and sourcing considerations only; it is not medical or regulatory advice.
Sourcing GHK-Cu Copper Peptide?
Blueeyes Bio supplies Copper-peptide (GHK-Cu, Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine) for cosmetic and skincare formulations, with batch COA documentation and technical support for global brands and contract manufacturers.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.blueeyes-bio.com · WhatsApp: +66 84 076 9830
