MOLRECORD
Compound record · Skin & tissue

GHK-Cu

A copper-binding tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) found in human plasma, used for decades in topical cosmetic formulations.

  • EVIDENCE · EARLY HUMAN (TOPICAL)
  • INJECTABLE · PRECLINICAL
  • REGULATORY · INJECTABLE WAS CATEGORY 2
FILED UNDER
Skin and tissue
ENTRIES
1
REVIEWED
5 Oct 2026
Specimen · reference label · hover to turn
The GHK-Cu reference label, laid flat
Specimen label · as wrapped on the vial aboveReference artwork · not packaging

WHERE THE EVIDENCE STANDS

The topical record is the longest of any compound on this site: studies of skin firmness, wound dressings and hair have accumulated since the 1970s, many of them small or industry-funded. Materials research continues; an October 2026 paper in Carbohydrate Polymers describes a hydrogel referencing GHK-Cu in a diabetic-wound context.

Injectable routes were placed in Category 2 in September 2023. Whether injectable GHK-Cu was among the twelve substances removed in April 2026 differs between sources and is marked here as unconfirmed.

ENTRIES ABOUT GHK-Cu · 1

15 Apr 2026
REGULATION
From Category 2 to review: how twelve peptides came off the restricted list

In September 2023 the FDA placed nineteen peptides in Category 2. In April 2026 it removed twelve of them after their nominations were withdrawn and scheduled advisory meetings to consider adding them to the 503A bulks list.

SOURCES

  1. PeptideLaws.com regulatory news digest. GHK-Cu featured in new diabetic wound healing hydrogel study (Carbohydrate Polymers, 1 Oct 2026). Secondary summary. https://peptidelaws.com/news/
  2. Lifetime Surgical. FDA peptide regulations 2026 (GHK-Cu injectable routes and Category 2). Secondary summary. https://www.lifetimesurgical.com/blog-posts/fda-peptide-regulations-2026-changes

REVIEWED 5 Oct 2026 · NEXT REVIEW JAN 2027 · CORRECTIONS ARE LOGGED HERE