GHK-Cu Copper Peptide Skin Care Products

How GHK-Cu Copper Peptide AntiAging Skin Care Products Work

GHK-Cu Copper Peptide, also known as Active Copper or Copper Tripeptide, was developed by Dr. Loren Pickart, founder of ProCyte (maker of the Neova Active Copper skin care line) and currently founder and CEO of SkinBiology.

The "GHK" describes the specific peptide chain of Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine which is bound to copper (Cu).

In the 1970s, Dr. Pickart discovered GHK-Cu in human blood while searching for methods to reverse human aging. He isolated the GHK sequence of amino acids in human serum that bound copper, and used that initial piece of information to build a peptide copper-based technology with implications in anti-aging and tissue repair processes.

A 1998 joint clinical study at the New Jersey University of Medicine and Dentistry and the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (Abdulghani et al.) compared the increase in collagen production after using creams containing copper-peptides, vitamin C, and retinoic acid (Retin-A).

Twenty volunteers applied the various creams to their thighs daily for one month. New collagen production was determined by examining skin biopsies.

The study found, that after one month, copper-peptides had the most significant effect on collagen production. Significant increases in collagen production were found in 70% of the persons treated with copper-peptide creams, 50% of those treated with the vitamin C cream, and 40% of those treated with retinoic acid.

Several papers concerning GHK-Cu Copper Peptide were presented at the 2002 Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. The first by Appa et al. for Neutrogena reported a test of liquid foundation containing GHK-CU for eight weeks. Results showed significant increases in skin elasticity and thickness.

The second paper, reported on a joint study by Neutrogena and the University of Pennsylvania (Leyden et al.) which tested creams containing GHK-Cu for eight weeks and demonstrated a significant increase in skin density measured by ultrasound and reduction in visible signs of aging (wrinkles and uneven skin tone).

The third paper, reported on another joint study by Neutrogena and the U of PA (Leyden et al.). This was a placebo-controlled 12 week study of 71 female subjects using a GHK-Cu cream.

Clinical photos, ultrasound measurement of skin density and cutometer measurement of skin elasticity showed significant reduction in fine lines, increase in skin elasticity and increase in skin density.

The final 2002 paper presented to the Academy reported on two placebo-controlled studies of GHK-Cu eye creams conducted by the U of PA (Leyden at al.)

In both studies, a 12-week study of 41 females and a 3-week half face study, the GHK-Cu eye cream significantly outperformed a Vitamin K cream in reducing fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes.

More recently, M.B. Finkley et al. published the second edition of Cosmeceuticals and Active Cosmetics (ISBN: 0-8247-4239-7) in 2005. The chapter on GHK-Cu describes a series of placebo-controlled studies testing GHK-Cu skin creams.

Once again, Copper Peptide skin care creams were found to:

• Tighten loose skin and improve elasticity;
• Improve skin density and firmness;
• Reduce fine lines and deep wrinkles;
• Improve skin clarity;
• Reduce photodamage and mottled hyperpigmentation; and
• Strongly increase keratinocyte proliferation.

Anti-aging Skin Care Creams That Contain Copper Peptide

Neutrogena Visibly Firm Night Cream
Osmotics Blue Copper 5
NuGlow
Neova Antioxidant Therapy Serum
Neova Therapy Creme De La Copper

Though active copper was the first cosmeceutical peptide to come to market, it has not yet gained the popularity of some others. In the last few years, new peptides seem to have literally burst onto the scene with huge product launches and full page magazine ads.

Click on the articles below to learn more about peptides currently being used to make skin care products more effective.

This article is for information only. It does not purport to offer medical advice.

Effective Skin Care: The Peptides

The Science Behind AntiAging Skin Care
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7