GHK-Cu vs AHK-Cu
Independent, side-by-side comparison of GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu: mechanism, half-life, dose range, safety profile, and live vendor pricing. Updated continuously as new research and listings land.
Live price snapshot
GHK-Cu
AHK-Cu
GHK-Cu
GHK-Cu (copper peptide, glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine:copper(II)) is a naturally occurring tripeptide-copper complex with the amino acid sequence Gly-His-Lys chelated to a copper(II) ion. It has a molecular weight of 403.93…
Live lowest price: $29.00 across 10 vendors
Full GHK-Cu profileAHK-Cu
AHK-Cu (Ala-His-Lys-Copper) is a copper chelating tripeptide related to but distinct from GHK-Cu (Gly-His-Lys-Copper). Where GHK-Cu is the most-studied copper peptide and naturally occurs in human plasma, AHK-Cu is a…
Live lowest price: $63.00 across 3 vendors
Full AHK-Cu profileSide-by-side comparison
| Attribute | GHK-Cu | AHK-Cu |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Skin, Hair & Aesthetics | Skin & Hair |
| Research Stage | Approved (cosmetic use); Preclinical (injectable) | Preclinical |
| Mechanism of Action | Copper Delivery and Metalloenzyme Activation GHK-Cu functions as a bioavailable copper delivery vehicle. The tripeptide chelates Cu(II) with high affinity and releases it at cellular targets where copper serves as an essential cofactor for enzymes including… | AHK-Cu delivers bioavailable copper ions to follicular and dermal tissues. Copper acts as a cofactor for lysyl oxidase (collagen/elastin crosslinking), superoxide dismutase (antioxidant), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling. The tripeptide… |
| Half-Life | ~30 minutes plasma half-life (tissue-level gene expression effects persist 12-24+ hours) | Unknown (topical half-life, follicular retention not well characterized) |
| Typical Dose Range | Topical: 1-2% concentration in serum/cream applied 1-2x daily; Injectable: 200-500 mcg subcutaneous daily (community protocols) | 0 |
| Dosing Frequency | Once daily subcutaneous; twice daily topical | once_daily |
| Administration | Subcutaneous, Topical | Topical, Subcutaneous, Intradermal |
| Side Effects | Well-tolerated at standard doses. Mild skin irritation at application site (topical). Occasional headache, light sensitivity. Injection site reaction for injectable form. | — |
| Molecular Weight | 403.9 Da (free peptide); ~467 Da (copper complex) | — |
| Common Vial Sizes | 5mg, 10mg, 50mg | 50, 100 |
Price History
6 data points- OF
- Unknown
- Nova Peptides
- VANDL Labs
- Adera
- LB
- Ion Peptide
Price tracking
GHK-Cu — potential benefits
- Stimulation of collagen I and III synthesis for skin rejuvenation (PMID: 24508067)
- Accelerated wound healing through fibroblast activation and angiogenesis (PMID: 28500824)
- Upregulation of 4000+ genes shifting expression toward youthful patterns (PMID: 22585403)
- Antioxidant gene activation reducing oxidative stress and cellular damage (PMID: 22585403)
- Hair follicle enlargement and hair growth stimulation
- Anti-aging effects through stem cell recruitment and tissue remodeling (PMID: 25815018)
- DNA repair gene upregulation supporting genomic stability (PMID: 22585403)
- MMP regulation preventing excessive collagen degradation (PMID: 24508067)
AHK-Cu — potential benefits
- Hair follicle stimulation — activates anagen phase via Wnt/β-catenin in dermal papilla cells
- Reduction of follicle miniaturization in androgenetic alopecia models
- Enhanced scalp vascularity via VEGF upregulation
- Wound healing acceleration — copper cofactor for lysyl oxidase and collagen maturation
- Synergistic with GHK-Cu in multi-peptide scalp formulations
Frequently asked
What's the difference between GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu?
GHK-Cu is a skin, hair & aesthetics that copper delivery and metalloenzyme activation ghk-cu functions as a bioavailable copper delivery vehicle. the tripeptide chelates cu(ii) with high affinity and releases it at…. AHK-Cu is a skin & hair that ahk-cu delivers bioavailable copper ions to follicular and dermal tissues. copper acts as a cofactor for lysyl oxidase (collagen/elastin crosslinking), superoxide dismutase…. The two differ in mechanism, half-life (~30 minutes plasma half-life (tissue-level gene expression effects persist 12-24+ hours) vs Unknown (topical half-life, follicular retention not well characterized)), and typical dose range.
Which has the longer half-life, GHK-Cu or AHK-Cu?
GHK-Cu has a half-life of ~30 minutes plasma half-life (tissue-level gene expression effects persist 12-24+ hours). AHK-Cu has a half-life of Unknown (topical half-life, follicular retention not well characterized). Longer half-lives generally mean less frequent dosing but slower on/off kinetics.
Which is cheaper, GHK-Cu or AHK-Cu?
Current lowest live price on BodyHackGuide: GHK-Cu from $29.00, AHK-Cu from $63.00. Prices are pulled from the vendor listings tracked on BHG and change frequently — see the compare tables on each compound page for the current set of offers.
Can you stack GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu?
Stacking depends on mechanism overlap, safety profile, and goals. GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu should only be stacked after reviewing each compound's individual protocol page, side effect profile, and any published interaction data. Use the BodyHackGuide stack builder for a structured review before combining research compounds.
See current vendor prices
Live listings from the vendors we track, refreshed continuously.
Related comparisons
Research use only. BodyHackGuide is an independent research reference. The compounds discussed on this page are not approved by the FDA for human consumption and are sold strictly for laboratory research. Prices shown are pulled from vendor listings tracked on BHG and are subject to change. We earn an affiliate commission on some outbound clicks — this never affects the data or pricing shown. See editorial standards and affiliate disclosure.