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Skin

Copper peptide / GHK-Cu: the research history.

The copper-peptide cream lists a 0.2% concentration. Its research map includes GHK-Cu and copper-tripeptide search terms, while retaining the material identity reported by each source.

135records matching the ingredient search
1connected formulations
7displayed publication records

How the research connects to the formula

The displayed 2010 study measured retention and penetration in isolated human skin layers. The material was examined outside the living body, so the experiment does not directly measure a visible result in people using the cream.

An ingredient history can connect skin-layer experiments with later clinical publications. Their endpoints remain separate: penetration into tissue and a visible skin outcome are different observations.

Current HealthRX.com formulation map
ProductListed formulationConnected ingredient research
Copper Peptide CreamCopper peptide 0.2%Copper peptide / GHK-Cu

Publication history

When the ingredient appeared in the literature

The chart counts records mentioning the search terms in their title or abstract. It includes research beyond skin. Use the period controls to inspect the count.

2026: 26 indexed publications. 2026 includes publications dated through October 5. The earlier bars cover longer periods than the annual bars.

View the chart as a data table
PeriodPublications
1900-19590
1960-19690
1970-19790
1980-19892
1990-19992
2000-200922
2010-201415
2015-201920
202010
20213
20224
202311
20248
202512
202626
Search query and data source

Source: Europe PMC’s PubMed-indexed records. Retrieved October 5, 2026. The index’s firstPublicationDate field supplies the dates and chart periods; it can normalize a month-only record to the first day of the month. Dates through October 5 are included. Counts can change as the index adds or corrects records.

TITLE_ABS:(("GHK-Cu" OR "copper tripeptide" OR "copper peptide")) AND SRC:MED AND FIRST_PDATE:[1900-01-01 TO 2026-10-05]

Open this literature search · Download the data

A closer search for this product question

The focused search returns 43 publications. It narrows the ingredient query to terms connected with its catalog use. Its displayed records remain a search sample, not a ranking of study quality.

View the focused query

TITLE_ABS:(("GHK-Cu" OR "copper tripeptide" OR "copper peptide")) AND TITLE_ABS:((skin OR dermal)) AND SRC:MED AND FIRST_PDATE:[1900-01-01 TO 2026-10-05]

Open the focused search

Dated publications

Read individual records in context

The timeline combines selected references with a sample from the ingredient search. Dates use the index’s firstPublicationDate field; the PubMed record may distinguish an earlier online date from the print date. Written study notes appear alongside the records that have them. Other entries show the indexed bibliography and link to the paper.

research-article · Journal Article

Human skin retention and penetration of a copper tripeptide in vitro as function of skin layer towards anti-inflammatory therapy.

Hostynek JJ, Dreher F, Maibach HI. Inflammation research : official journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et al.]. PMID 20703511.

Study design
In vitro study using isolated human skin layers
What was tested
Copper applied as a tripeptide in diffusion-cell experiments over 48 hours.
What was reported
The investigators measured copper penetration and retention in skin tissue.
How it connects to the catalog
This is an isolated-tissue experiment. It does not measure a visible skin change in people using a 0.2% copper-peptide cream.
Read the PubMed record · Publisher record

Study comparison

PublicationDesign and regimenReported findingInterpretation
2010-08-13: Human skin retention and penetration of a copper tripeptide in vitro as function of skin layer towards anti-inflammatory therapy.In vitro study using isolated human skin layers. Copper applied as a tripeptide in diffusion-cell experiments over 48 hours.The investigators measured copper penetration and retention in skin tissue.This is an isolated-tissue experiment. It does not measure a visible skin change in people using a 0.2% copper-peptide cream.

Questions that shape the comparison

Was the experiment performed in isolated tissue or in people? Does the paper identify the same copper-peptide preparation and concentration?

Source records

Human skin retention and penetration of a copper tripeptide in vitro as function of skin layer towards anti-inflammatory therapy.Hostynek JJ, Dreher F, Maibach HI.Inflammation research : official journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et al.]. 2010-08-13. PMID 20703511. research-article, Journal Article.
The Laccase-like Property of GHK-Cu and Its Applications in Colorimetric Sensing of Phenolic Compounds.Chen JS, Zhu H, Chai TQ, Yang FQ.Biosensors. 2026-04-12. PMID 42041438. research-article, Journal Article.
Copper peptide activated cascade catalysis for glucose regulation and hypoxia reversing in infected diabetic wound healing.Huang ZJ, Huang RF, Jiao PP, Zheng S, Wang M, Teng FW, Chen T, Zhou ZS, Wang GH, Jiao GL.Materials today. Bio. 2026-06-26. PMID 42404628. research-article, Journal Article.
A Systematic Review of the Mechanisms and Therapeutic Applications of GHK-Cu (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine-Copper Complex) in Topical Microneedle Delivery: A Case for Expanded Clinical Trials.Najafi N, Maatouk H, Vardanyan KG, Vartanian KB, Agrawal DK.Archives of internal medicine research. 2026-07-01. PMID 42787770. research-article, Journal Article.
Augmented Skin Beneficial Effects of Thermus Thermophilus and Bacillus Subtilis Mixed-Culture Ferment Extract by Tripeptide GHK-Cu.Wang J, Tao K, Huang H, Chang H.Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI). 2026-08-01. PMID 42573538. research-article, Journal Article.
The Regenerative Potential of GHK-Cu in Aesthetic Medicine.Mokhtar J, Mohamad B, Haddad J, Said A, Menon A, Kreutz-Rodrigues L, Vyas KS, Cetrulo CL, Lellouch AG.Aesthetic surgery journal. 2026-08-20. PMID 42619529. Journal Article.
GHK-Cu as a Bioactive Metallopeptide and Drug-Delivery Cargo: Coordination Chemistry, Formulation Science, Therapeutic Evidence, and a Translational Roadmap.Mateescu DM, Gavrilescu DM, Mincioaga RI, Pah AM, Toma AO, Serban DV, Avram CA, Craciun ML, Enache B, Muresan CO.Pharmaceutics. 2026-08-27. PMID 42797253. review-article, Review, Journal Article.

Research data assembled by HealthRX.com from the displayed source records, October 5, 2026. The atlas contains a dated literature search and selected studies; it is not an exhaustive systematic review.