Identity

What this record covers

A copper-binding tripeptide often discussed in skin, wound-context, and cosmetic research, with evidence varying sharply by formulation and outcome.

Aliases: GHK copper, Copper tripeptide-1

Topics: cosmetic claims, peptide, skin, wound context

Formula: C14H24CuN6O4

Sequence: Gly-His-Lys complexed with copper

Regulatory/product note: Separate approved-product evidence, research evidence, and supplier product claims.

Mechanism

Proposed mechanism

Commonly discussed around copper binding, extracellular matrix signals, collagen-related pathways, and wound-model observations.

Evidence

Evidence map boundary

This record keeps mechanisms, animal studies, human biomarkers, controlled clinical outcomes, safety data, and supplier documentation separate so claims are not flattened into one misleading score.

Research questions tracked

  • What exact molecule, route, formulation, and outcome were studied?
  • Is the evidence mechanistic, animal, early human, or controlled clinical evidence?
  • Does the commercial product match the studied material and documentation?

Key findings and boundaries

  • Evidence strength changes by outcome and study type.
  • Mechanism is useful context but not proof of clinical benefit.
  • Supplier claims require separate documentation review.

Important gaps

  • Long-term human safety and real-world product quality are often incomplete.
  • Claims can exceed the route, formulation, and population studied.
Safety

Safety and unknowns

Topical, cosmetic, injectable, and research-use contexts should not be blended. Route and formulation change the safety question.

  • Known and plausible adverse effects must be separated from product-quality risks.
  • Injectable or research-use products add sterility, endotoxin, impurity, and handling concerns.
Testing & COAs

Documentation checklist

COAs can support identity, purity, assay, batch traceability, laboratory identity, and testing date review. They do not prove clinical effectiveness, legal status, storage integrity, sterility unless tested, or suitability for use.

  • Identity, assay/purity, batch matching, lab identity, and test date should be visible.
  • COAs do not prove clinical effectiveness, legal status, or suitability for use.