Identity and selection
GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu are different peptide-copper complexes. Confirm the peptide sequence, salt form, assay basis and supplied form before comparing grades or samples.
01 / GHK-CU
Best initial fit: broad skincare concepts, peptide serums, creams and selected scalp-conditioning formats.
Buyer checks: confirm CAS 89030-95-5, Copper Tripeptide-1 naming, powder or solution form, assay basis, copper content and the intended cosmetic market.
02 / AHK-CU
Best initial fit: targeted scalp serums, tonics and hair-appearance concepts where the formulation brief is more specific.
Buyer checks: confirm the peptide sequence, hydrochloride or other salt form, CAS, molecular mass, naming, assay and use conditions. Do not inherit GHK-Cu’s INCI or specification.
Application-led selection
The practical difference is positioning and formulation intent. Neither peptide is universally “better”; the right choice depends on the product format, target user story, evidence plan and finished-formula testing.
| Selection factor | GHK-Cu | AHK-Cu |
|---|---|---|
| Best initial fit | Broad skincare, premium peptide serums, creams and multi-purpose skin-conditioning concepts. | Targeted scalp serums, tonics and specialized hair-appearance systems. |
| Consumer-facing story | Smoother-, more even- and revitalized-looking skin; wording must be supported by the finished formula and market review. | Conditioned scalp and fuller- or denser-looking hair; avoid medical hair-growth or hair-loss claims. |
| Portfolio role | A versatile anchor active for a wider skin and scalp-care range. | A more focused differentiator for advanced scalp and hair-care projects. |
| Typical formats to screen | Water-based serum, light emulsion, cream, mask essence and selected scalp formats. | Low-viscosity scalp serum, tonic, dropper or spray format and peptide blends for hair care. |
| First technical checks | Confirm Copper Tripeptide-1 identity, active basis, copper content, pH window and cool-down addition route. | Confirm sequence, salt form, naming/INCI route, active basis, copper content and compatibility in the chosen scalp base. |
| When to evaluate both | When a range needs separate skin and scalp SKUs, or when a dual-peptide concept has a clear rationale. Test each peptide and the combination for stability, color, packaging and assay retention; do not assume additive performance. | |
Application language describes formulation directions, not guaranteed finished-product effects. Claims require suitable substantiation, safety assessment and destination-market review.
Technical identity
Reference values are not a batch release document. Request the current specification and COA for the offered material.
| Ingredient identity | GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu hydrochloride; distinct copper tripeptide complexes. |
|---|---|
| INCI / naming review | Copper Tripeptide-1 is commonly used for GHK-Cu. Do not automatically apply that name to AHK-Cu; confirm the supplied sequence, salt form, INCI or local name and destination-market status. |
| CAS references | GHK-Cu: 89030-95-5. AHK-Cu hydrochloride: 682809-81-0; confirm the identity of the supplied form. |
| Molecular formula | GHK-Cu: C14H22CuN6O4. AHK-Cu hydrochloride: C15H25ClCuN6O4. |
| Molecular weight | GHK-Cu: 401.91 g/mol. AHK-Cu hydrochloride: 452.40 g/mol; confirm the supplied form. |
| Target assay | 98% minimum by HPLC. Request peptide content and copper content separately; chromatographic purity is not a substitute for either. |
| Analytical methods | Request HPLC or LC-MS information for peptide identity and related substances, plus ICP-OES or ICP-MS for copper content. One result cannot replace the other. |
| Production route | Solid-phase peptide synthesis, copper(II) complexation and purification. AHK-Cu is specified as the hydrochloride. |
| Product form | Powder, freeze-dried material or solution form must be stated with composition, carrier, pH and active basis where applicable. |
| Appearance | Blue to deep blue-violet powder; check the current specification. |
| Solubility & compatibility | Described as water-soluble. Assess pH, buffers, EDTA or other chelators, strong reducing or oxidizing ingredients and concentrated acids in the intended base. |
| Storage & shelf life | Store sealed at 2–8 °C, dry and protected from light, damp and heat. Request lot-specific retest/shelf-life data and shipping conditions. Ambient-storage or long shelf-life claims require supporting stability records. |
| Use boundary | Laboratory and topical cosmetic R&D. No dietary, injection or invasive-use instructions are provided. |
Preliminary technical values are provided for project discussion. Confirm every value against the current specification and lot-specific COA for the offered material.
Formulation concepts
These are anonymous, illustrative project briefs—not finished formulas or performance claims. Final use level, addition order, preservation and packaging must follow the quoted grade and stability work.
01 / SERUM
GHK-Cu is commonly evaluated in water-based or gel-serum concepts where a peptide-led skin story is required. Compare dissolution, clarity, color and assay retention through the intended storage profile.
02 / EMULSION
Screen cool-down addition, emulsifier compatibility, viscosity and active retention in the complete base. Review packaging and light exposure before approving a finished sample.
03 / SCALP
AHK-Cu is a targeted option for scalp-conditioning and fuller-looking hair concepts. Keep the communication cosmetic and avoid hair-loss, treatment or medical wording.
04 / BLENDS
Evaluate GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu separately before testing a combination. Compare stability, color, packaging and assay retention rather than assuming that a duo is automatically better.
Supplier qualification
Once the product route and technical profile are clear, use the same checklist for every sample and supplier.
01 / IDENTITY & FORM
Confirm the peptide sequence, CAS, salt form, INCI or local name, powder or solution form, carrier and active basis. A familiar “copper peptide” label is not enough to establish equivalence.
For GHK-Cu, Copper Tripeptide-1 is commonly used as the INCI reference. AHK-Cu requires its own naming and salt-form review.
02 / EVIDENCE & COMPATIBILITY
Request the current specification, lot-specific COA and SDS, with HPLC or LC-MS identity/purity information and copper content by ICP where applicable.
Before approval, screen dissolution, pH, color, chelators, redox ingredients, polymer/electrolyte compatibility, packaging and light exposure.
Supplier synthesis routes can vary. This page does not make a manufacturing claim; use the current supplier documents and lot records for qualification.
Quality & documentation
Document availability, scope and lot applicability must be confirmed for each quotation.
Specification, CAS, peptide sequence, salt form, INCI or local name, composition and SDS.
HPLC or LC-MS peptide data and ICP-OES or ICP-MS copper content on the relevant COA.
Stability records, retest date, transport guidance, packaging and handling after opening.
Microbial limits, heavy metals, residual solvents, non-animal testing and allergen statements where relevant.
Document status. The downloadable file is a preliminary product technical profile for evaluation and formulation discussion. It is not a lot-specific COA, batch release certificate or final quality certificate. Request the current specification and lot-specific COA before approving material.
For supplier qualification, request certificates showing the holder, scope and validity dates. Certification or regulatory status must be confirmed for the offered material and supply entity.
Research context
Database records and publications provide technical context. They are not tests of the offered batch or proof of finished-cosmetic performance.
Use the PubChem record as a starting point for synonyms and molecular identity; match it to the actual offered peptide form.
Open research sourceReview study design and material identity before applying any finding to a cosmetic formula or claim.
Open research sourceHostynek et al. (2011) reports an in-vitro skin penetration and retention study. Useful for reviewing experimental design; not a finished-product efficacy claim.
Open research sourceSource & evidence route
These links help verify identity, regulatory terminology and technical context. They do not replace the offered material’s specification, TDS, SDS or lot-specific COA.
Chemical identity and synonym reference for GHK-Cu; do not apply it automatically to AHK-Cu.
Open source ↗Search Copper Tripeptide-1 and the actual AHK-Cu name for INCI and market review.
Open source ↗Review study material and route; literature is not a batch specification or finished-product claim.
Open source ↗Source status: candidate public references; verify the live page, document date and exact SKU before using numerical values or regulatory claims in sales material.
Buyer questions
GHK-Cu is usually the more direct starting point for a broad skin-focused peptide serum. The final decision should still account for the supplied grade, target claims, base compatibility, stability and destination-market requirements.
AHK-Cu is generally the more targeted route for scalp serums and fuller- or denser-looking hair concepts. GHK-Cu may also be evaluated in scalp-conditioning products, but neither ingredient supports an automatic hair-growth or medical claim.
A dual-peptide concept can be evaluated when it has a clear formulation rationale, but do not assume the combination is more effective. Confirm compatibility, combined active basis, color, stability, assay retention and claim substantiation in the finished formula.
No. They have different peptide sequences and chemical identities. Confirm the selected material and AHK-Cu salt form before comparing specifications.
No. HPLC purity, peptide content and copper content are separate measurements. Request all three and their test methods.
Request the specification, lot-specific COA, SDS, peptide identity or sequence, salt form, HPLC or LC-MS data, copper-content method, storage and transport guidance, and any available stability or compatibility information.
The preliminary profile specifies sealed storage at 2–8 °C. Follow the supplied specification; assess any alternative storage or shipping route using the relevant stability evidence.
This profile covers laboratory and topical cosmetic R&D, not dietary use. Establish topical suitability and finished-product safety for the intended market.
Sample & supply review
Request a sample, compare a batch or qualify a supply option. Include your country, formulation, required documents and order volume.
MOQ, packaging, sample availability, lead time and document scope are confirmed in the quotation.
Selected ingredientGHK-Cu / AHK-Cu Copper Peptides