Is Copper Peptide (GHK-Cu, Copper Tripeptide-1) safe in cosmetics?
Copper Peptide (GHK-Cu, Copper Tripeptide-1) has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Excellent
Active Ingredient
Copper Peptide (GHK-Cu, Copper Tripeptide-1)
Also known as: Kollaren, Glycyl-histidyl-lysine, Gly-his-lys, NSC 379527, UNII-39TG2H631E (+5 more)
INCI: COPPER TRIPEPTIDE-1
Copper Peptide (GHK-Cu, Copper Tripeptide-1) (CAS 49557-75-7) is a cosmetic active ingredient functioning as GHK-Cu: glycine-histidine-lysine copper complex. Tissue-remodelling tripeptide. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in pharmaceutical data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 49557-75-7 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
GHK-Cu: glycine-histidine-lysine copper complex. Tissue-remodelling tripeptide with copper-dependent activation of fibroblast collagen types I/III and elastin synthesis, glycosaminoglycan production, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activation, wound-healing, and angiogenesis. Anti-aging, barrier repair, and anti-inflammatory activity.
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Permitted without restriction. INCI: Copper Tripeptide-1. MoCRA safety substantiation required.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Copper Peptide (GHK-Cu, Copper Tripeptide-1).
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Typical Use Concentrations
Reported concentration ranges per product category from SCCS/CIR/industry sources.
| Product Category | Typical Range | Max Reported | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | 0.001–0.05 | 0.1 | Industry |
Additional Ingredient Properties
10 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
amino_acid
{"cas_number": "49557-75-7", "ingredient_class": "tripeptide", "source_origin": "synthetic", "molecular_weight_range_Da": "340", "amino_acid_composition_key": "GHK_copper_complex", "charge_at_pH_5_5": "cationic", "water_solubility": "soluble", "oil_solubility": "insoluble", "film_forming_ability": "poor", "moisture_binding_capacity": "moderate", "NMF_component": "no", "skin_penetration_depth": "de…
anti_pollution
{"cas_number": "89030-95-5", "ingredient_class": "antioxidant_pollution_shield", "primary_mechanism": "free_radical_scavenging", "pollution_types_targeted": "PM2_5/UV_A", "IR_A_protection": "no", "visible_light_protection": "no", "digital_screen_protection_claim": "no", "PAH_neutralization": "no", "ozone_protection": "no", "mitochondrial_protection": "no", "Nrf2_activation": "no", "AhR_pathway_mod…
baby_pediatric
{"cas_number": "49557-75-7/89030-95-5", "ingredient_class": "other", "pediatric_safety_rating": "avoid", "minimum_age_months": "24", "neonatal_safe": "no", "premature_infant_safe": "insufficient_data", "skin_barrier_maturity_consideration": "Copper peptide - adult", "transepidermal_absorption_risk_pediatric": "low", "systemic_exposure_concern_pediatric": "low", "dose_per_kg_body_weight_concern": "…
concentration
{"min_concentration_pct": "0.00001", "max_concentration_pct": "0.005", "typical_concentration_pct": "0.0005", "product_type": "Moisturizer", "function_at_concentration": "Skin repair", "source": "Clinical literature"}
ecotoxicity
{"biodegradable": "partial", "biodegradation_days": "90-180", "bioaccumulative": "yes", "aquatic_toxicity_level": "moderate", "coral_reef_safe": "unknown", "marine_toxicity": "copper toxicity concerns", "freshwater_toxicity": "metal accumulation", "endocrine_disruptor": "no", "persistent_organic_pollutant": "yes", "microplastic": "no", "nano_particle": "no", "hawaii_banned": "no", "eu_restricted_e…
peptide
{"cas_number": "49557-75-7", "trade_name": "GHK-Cu / Copper Peptide", "peptide_sequence_amino_acids": "Gly-His-Lys-Cu2+", "peptide_length_residues": "3", "molecular_weight_daltons": "340.4", "peptide_class": "signal/carrier", "mechanism_of_action": "Copper delivery, wound healing, collagen/elastin stimulation, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, MMP inhibition", "target_protein_or_receptor": "TGF-beta…
regulatory
{"eu_status": "allowed", "us_status": "allowed"}
self_tanning
{"cas_number": "49557-75-7", "ingredient_class": "tan_accelerator", "tanning_mechanism": "melanin_stimulation", "color_development_onset_hours": "72.0", "full_color_development_hours": "240", "color_duration_days": "14", "color_depth": "light", "undertone": "natural", "DHA_concentration_if_applicable_pct": "0", "erythrulose_concentration_pct": "0", "pH_dependent_color": "no", "formaldehyde_release…
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Copper Peptide (GHK-Cu, Copper Tripeptide-1).
Regulatory Flags
peptide
anti-aging
collagen-synthesis
copper-complex
inci-copper-tripeptide-1
skinification
body-care-expanding
evidence-backed
high-demand-2026
Known Synonyms
Kollaren
Glycyl-histidyl-lysine
Gly-his-lys
NSC 379527
UNII-39TG2H631E
Growth-modulating peptide (human)
Gly-L-His-L-Lys
glycylhistidyllysine
liver cell growth factor
GHK Tripeptide
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA CAS match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL1814493
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Copper Peptide (GHK-Cu, Copper Tripeptide-1) allowed in the EU?
Copper Peptide (GHK-Cu, Copper Tripeptide-1) EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Copper Peptide (GHK-Cu, Copper Tripeptide-1) do in cosmetics?
Copper Peptide (GHK-Cu, Copper Tripeptide-1) functions as: GHK-Cu: glycine-histidine-lysine copper complex. Tissue-remodelling tripeptide with copper-dependent activation of fibroblast collagen types I/III and elastin synthesis, glycosaminoglycan production, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activation, wound-healing, and angiogenesis. Anti-aging, barrier repair, and anti-inflammatory activity.. It is classified as a Active Ingredient in our database. CAS number: 49557-75-7.
Is Copper Peptide (GHK-Cu, Copper Tripeptide-1) used outside cosmetics?
Copper Peptide (GHK-Cu, Copper Tripeptide-1) also appears in pharmaceutical data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
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Substance Compliance
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MoS Calculator
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Heavy Metal Limits
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Copper Peptide (GHK-Cu)
Good
Chemical family
Skin conditioning, wound healing
Copper Tripeptide-1
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COPAIFERA OFFICINALIS RESIN
Good
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Film Forming, Fragrance
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