GHK-Cu Copper Peptide Solution (Copper Tripeptide-1)

What GHK-Cu solution is

GHK-Cu is a small tripeptide, glycyl-histidyl-lysine, bound to a copper ion. In cosmetic ingredient lists it appears as Copper Tripeptide-1, CAS 89030-95-5. This listing is the liquid version: the peptide is already dissolved, so the material is poured and weighed instead of being dissolved from a dry powder. It is a raw material for cosmetic manufacturers and is used only in topical products such as serums, creams and tonics. The dry version is listed as GHK-Cu Powder.

Properties

The bound copper gives the solution its typical blue color, which carries into clear gels and is part of the visual identity of copper peptide serums. The peptide is water-soluble and works in the slightly acidic to neutral range; the supplier specification gives a pH of 5.0 to 6.5. Strong chelating agents and strong acids can pull the copper out of the complex, and the color then shifts to green or fades.

Applications

The supplier specification lists face serums, creams and emulsions, eye contour products, concentrates and ampoules, scalp tonics, hair serums and salon programs. Brands use it as the hero of a blue face serum, as a supporting peptide in a night cream, or in a scalp tonic next to Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 + Red Clover Extract Hair Complex. Cosmetic wording stays visual: skin that looks smoother, firmer and more even. More ready liquid peptides are collected in our peptide solutions aisle.

How to work with it

Add the solution during cool-down, below 40 °C, and stir gently. Avoid long heating. Keep the finished pH roughly between 5.0 and 7.0 and leave out EDTA and other strong chelators in the same product. Take the use level from the supplier documentation for your lot.

Color and stability

Clear glass shows the blue best, while frosted or amber bottles soften it and protect it from light. During stability testing, compare samples against a reference kept in the fridge. A drift from blue toward green usually points to an acid, a chelator or a reducing agent in the base. Simple bases with few ingredients keep the color longest.

Compatibility

GHK-Cu works with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, niacinamide and most nonionic thickeners. It is a poor partner for ascorbic acid, high levels of AHA and reducing agents, so place vitamin C in a separate product. Fragrances with aldehydes can shift the color, so test them first.

Original recipe: blue peptide gel serum, 100 g

Phase A: distilled water 91.50 g, glycerin 3.00 g, hydroxyethylcellulose 0.50 g. Hydrate the cellulose in the water and glycerin with stirring until clear. Phase B: panthenol 1.00 g, sodium hyaluronate 1 percent solution 2.00 g, GHK-Cu solution 1.00 g, added below 40 °C one at a time. Phase C: preservative without EDTA 1.00 g. Mix, check the pH and keep it near 6.0. The result is a light blue gel serum for the face, applied under a moisturizer.

Storage

Store the bottle tightly closed in a cool, dark place. Light and heat can fade the color.