"Copper peptide" gets used as one term, but GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu are distinct molecules with different target tissue — and Matrixyl, often grouped with them, is not a copper peptide at all.
Research reference only. Not medical advice, prescribing guidance, or a product recommendation.
| Dimension | GHK-Cu | AHK-Cu |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Cu-bound tripeptide (Gly-His-Lys) | Cu-bound tripeptide (Ala-His-Lys) |
| Copper-based? | Yes | Yes |
| Primary research focus | Skin repair, collagen, antioxidant | Hair follicle / hair growth |
| Key mechanism | Copper delivery + ECM remodeling-gene modulation | Copper delivery + VEGF / anti-apoptotic signaling in DPCs |
| Reference compound for | Facial-skin remodeling | Follicular biology |
| Evidence stage | Extensive dermatologic literature | Preclinical (cell / ex-vivo follicle) |
| Status | Cosmetic ingredient (Copper Tripeptide-1) | Cosmetic / research compound |
GHK-Cu (glycyl-histidyl-lysine + copper) is the most-studied copper peptide, carrying copper into tissue and modulating a broad set of remodeling and antioxidant genes that support collagen, elastin, and wound repair. AHK-Cu (alanyl-histidyl-lysine + copper) shares the same histidine–lysine copper-binding motif but is oriented toward the hair follicle: it is studied for dermal-papilla-cell proliferation, anti-apoptotic signaling, and VEGF-driven angiogenesis (Pyo & Yoo et al., 2007).
The common third name, Matrixyl (palmitoyl pentapeptide-4), is not a copper peptide at all. It is a "matrikine" whose KTTKS core mimics a procollagen-I fragment, signaling fibroblasts to make collagen — backed by a 12-week split-face RCT (Robinson et al., 2005). So the real choice isn’t "which copper peptide" but skin remodeling (GHK-Cu) vs hair (AHK-Cu) vs signaling-only anti-wrinkle (Matrixyl).
GHK-Cu is the reference for facial-skin remodeling; AHK-Cu applies the same copper chemistry to the hair follicle; Matrixyl is a separate, copper-free matrikine for collagen signaling. All three are cosmetic / research compounds, not approved drugs. This page is a research and educational reference.
Both are copper-bound tripeptides sharing a histidine–lysine copper-binding motif. GHK-Cu (glycyl-histidyl-lysine) is the most-studied for facial-skin remodeling, collagen, and wound repair. AHK-Cu (alanyl-histidyl-lysine) is oriented toward the hair follicle and follicular angiogenesis.
No. Matrixyl (palmitoyl pentapeptide-4) contains no copper. It is a matrikine that signals fibroblasts to produce collagen by mimicking a collagen-breakdown fragment, where GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu deliver copper.
AHK-Cu is the one studied specifically for the hair follicle — dermal-papilla-cell proliferation and VEGF-driven angiogenesis — while GHK-Cu is the reference for facial skin. Both remain preclinical / cosmetic, not approved drugs.
No. GHK-Cu, AHK-Cu, and Matrixyl are cosmetic / research compounds, not approved drugs. This page is a research and educational reference.