AHK-Cu
Alanine-histidine-lysine copper peptide
AHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide used as a cosmetic ingredient, most often discussed for hair.
Regulatory status: A cosmetic ingredient, not a medicine. No approval and no clinical trial programme.
Default vial
50 mg
Default mix
5 mL
Reported range
Topical cosmetic use
Draw (U-100)
20 u
A copper-binding tripeptide used in cosmetic formulations, usually discussed for hair. Related to GHK-Cu but a different sequence with far less research behind it.
Where these numbers come from
No published study reports a dose for this compound in people. The figures here exist only so the calculator can run — they are not a recommendation. AHK-Cu is used as a cosmetic ingredient applied to the skin; there is no injected dosing literature.
Reviewed October 2026
What it is
- Alanine-histidine-lysine, bound to copper — a three-amino-acid peptide that carries a copper ion.
- A relative of GHK-Cu, which has its own entry, but a different sequence with much less research behind it.
- Formulated into topical products, particularly scalp and hair preparations.
- Copper peptides are used in cosmetics because copper is a cofactor for enzymes involved in connective tissue.
How it is described to act
- 1
Applied to the skin or scalp in a cosmetic formulation.
- 2
How much of a copper-bound tripeptide penetrates intact skin is formulation-dependent and not well characterised for this peptide.
- 3
The proposed mechanism is delivery of copper to tissue, supporting enzymes involved in collagen and vessel formation.
- 4
Outcomes reported for it are cosmetic appearance measures rather than clinical endpoints.
What the research has looked at
What is published
- Pep-Tidy has not identified independent peer-reviewed clinical research on AHK-Cu specifically. Most material about it comes from ingredient suppliers.
- The better-studied copper peptide is GHK-Cu, which has a real literature. Evidence for that peptide does not transfer to this one — a different sequence binds copper differently and has different activity.
Strength of evidence: Preclinical evidence only
No independent clinical evidence identified for this peptide. What is claimed for it generally rests on research into GHK-Cu, a different molecule.
What is published comes from cell and animal studies. Findings in those models frequently do not carry over to people.
Reported cautions and unknowns
- As a topical cosmetic ingredient, the main documented issues are local irritation and contact sensitivity.
- Injecting a cosmetic ingredient is not a studied use, and copper-containing preparations are not formulated for it.
- No systemic safety data exists.
References
There are none. A search of the published literature returns no studies of this compound — no human trials, no animal work, no cell studies. Anything claimed about it elsewhere is not drawn from published research on this molecule.
Handling this vial
- Lyophilized vials are generally stored at 2–8 °C and kept out of light; once reconstituted with bacteriostatic water they are refrigerated and commonly discarded after 28 days.
- Mix by aiming water down the vial wall and rolling gently — do not shake — and never re-freeze a reconstituted vial.
- Pep-Tidy cannot verify what is in your vial. Ask your supplier for a current Certificate of Analysis (HPLC/MS).
AHK-Cu questions people ask
How do you reconstitute AHK-Cu?
A common starting point for a 50 mg vial of AHK-Cu is 5 mL of bacteriostatic water, which gives 10 mg per mL. Aim the water down the inside wall of the vial, let it dissolve on its own, and roll gently instead of shaking. Pep-Tidy's reconstitution calculator will recalculate the numbers for any other vial size or water volume you use.
How many units of AHK-Cu is one dose?
At 10 mg per mL, that works out to about 20 units on a U-100 insulin syringe for a 2000 mcg dose. Change the vial size, water volume, or target dose in the calculator and the syringe reading updates with it. This is arithmetic, not a dosing recommendation.
What dosing schedule is reported for AHK-Cu?
Published and community sources describe Topical cosmetic use, topical, every day, typically run 12 weeks on. These figures describe what has been reported, not what anyone should take — talk to a licensed clinician first.
How should AHK-Cu be stored?
Lyophilized AHK-Cu vials are generally kept at 2–8 °C and out of light. Once reconstituted with bacteriostatic water they are refrigerated and commonly discarded after about 28 days. Never re-freeze a reconstituted vial and never shake it.
Read this before you act on anything above
Everything on this page is a summary of what other people have published — it is not medical advice, not a recommendation, and not a dosing instruction. Reported dose ranges describe what appears in the literature or in community protocols, not what anyone should take. Talk to a licensed clinician before using any peptide.