Actives
Copper peptides
also known as GHK-Cu, copper tripeptide-1
A signaling peptide bound to copper — supports collagen, elastin, and barrier repair, with real caveats about what to pair it with.
What it actually does
GHK-Cu is a tripeptide (glycyl-histidyl-lysine) bound to a copper ion. Studies on it go back to the 1970s and consistently show signaling effects on fibroblasts — more collagen, more elastin, better wound healing — plus antioxidant activity. In Korean skincare it shows up in serums from Medicube, Mixsoon, Numbuzin, and a growing list of indie brands chasing the firmness story.
Who it's for
Mature skin, anyone working on firmness and density, or recovering barriers. Not a quick-results ingredient — you're looking at 8–12 weeks of consistent use.
How to use it
Evening serum on bare skin, sealed with moisturizer. The honest caveat: copper peptides can be destabilized by direct-acid and strong-antioxidant pairings (vitamin C, AHA/BHA, high-strength retinoids) in the same layer. Split them across AM/PM or across nights rather than stacking them together.
Products with copper peptides
1 product
We match by ingredient mentions in product copy from our verified retailers. If we missed a product you know contains copper peptides, let us know.
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