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Molecule libraryReference fact sheet

AHK-Cu

Why this molecule?

Less known than its cousin GHK-Cu, AHK-Cu is studied for a specific question: what happens around the hair follicle and the matrix surrounding it.

Cosmetic research ~4 min readAlso known asAHK tripeptideAla-His-Lys copper complex
  • Research Use Only
  • Molecule under study
  • Living document

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Research state
Current research state
Cosmetic research — used in topical formulations, with limited human data.
Current clinical phase
No clinical trials registered to date.
Last update
21 July 2026 · Reference fact sheet v1.0
Living document
Updated regularly as research progresses.
01 · Reference points

What is AHK-Cu?

AHK-Cu is a tripeptide composed of the amino acids alanine, histidine, and lysine, complexed with copper.

It belongs to the same family of copper peptides as GHK-Cu, but has a distinct biological profile.

It is studied in the cosmetic literature for its potential relevance to hair and skin research.

02 · Reference points

Names you may come across

This molecule is mainly designated under the following names in the literature.

AHK-Cu

Scientific name — tripeptide–copper complex.

AHK tripeptide

Common cosmetic name.

03 · Made simple

Understanding it simply

Three simple reference points for understanding AHK-Cu.

1

A small peptide

Composed of just three amino acids, it remains very similar to peptides naturally present in the body.

2

A copper carrier

Like GHK-Cu, it forms a stable complex with copper, a cofactor for many skin enzymes.

3

A hair-related profile

In vitro studies focus on the hair follicle and local vascularization.

04 · Scientific honesty

What research shows today

Science advances step by step. We clearly distinguish what is firmly established from what remains under study.

Current state of knowledge
  • Documented structure and affinity for copper(II). — established
  • In vitro effects on follicular cells described in the cosmetic literature. — established
  • Human clinical data remain limited. — ongoing

Predominantly in vitro and preclinical data; documented topical cosmetic use, limited human clinical data.

What the research shows

  • Well-characterized structure and copper-binding properties.
  • In vitro effects on dermal and follicular cells documented in cosmetic science.

What still remains to be studied

  • Controlled human clinical data remain limited.
  • The precise distinction from GHK-Cu (gene expression spectrum) is still under investigation.
05 · Three reading levels

What we know today

Not all information carries the same weight of evidence. We therefore present it across three clearly distinct levels, from the most solid to the most indicative.

What scientific publications show

Scientific evidence
  • The cosmetic literature describes modulation of factors involved in skin microcirculation in vitro.
  • The data remain predominantly preclinical.

What some professionals report

Documented
  • Some cosmetic formulators combine AHK-Cu with other copper peptides in topical hair products.

What the community reports

Field observations
  • Few structured reports outside the cosmetic field.

The level of evidence remains emerging: dedicated human clinical studies are few.

06 · The mechanism

How does AHK-Cu work?

AHK-Cu combines biological signaling activity with a role as a copper carrier.

Dermal cells
Studied for the modulation of factors involved in the extracellular matrix.
Hair follicle
Studied in vitro for its effect on dermal papilla cells.
Copper (II)
A cofactor for many skin enzymes (lysyl oxidase, superoxide dismutase).

These mechanisms are described in an experimental setting and do not imply any clinical benefit.

07 · The scientific journey

Clinical trials timeline

A molecule under study progresses step by step. Here, simply, is where the research currently stands.

DiscoveryPreclinicalPhase IPhase IIPhase IIIRegulatory
  1. Discovery· 1980s-1990sCompleted

    Characterization of copper peptides

    AHK-Cu is described following Pickart's work on GHK-Cu.

  2. Cosmetic· 1990s-2010sCompleted

    Incorporation into topical formulations

    Use in hair care and anti-aging cosmetic products.

  3. Research· TodayOngoing

    Occasional publications

    The literature continues to explore functional differences from GHK-Cu.

08 · Documented proof

Available analyses

No analytical document has been published for this molecule to date.

Open the analysis library
09 · Reference points

Frequently asked questions

Is AHK-Cu a medicine?

No. It is used as a cosmetic active ingredient and studied in research. PHL does not suggest any therapeutic use.

How does it differ from GHK-Cu?

Established: the peptide sequence differs (Ala-His-Lys vs Gly-His-Lys), which changes the biological spectrum observed in vitro.

11 · The vocabulary

Glossary

Tripeptide
A peptide composed of three amino acids linked by peptide bonds.
Dermal papilla
A structure at the base of the hair follicle that plays a key role in hair growth.
The PHL ecosystem

Continue your discovery

Read next

Sheets that are thematically close. These links serve reading and discovery — they suggest no combined use.

All moleculesView the corresponding reference in the shop

Reference fact sheet — version 1.0, updated on 21 July 2026. The full regulatory and scientific framework is gathered in the “Important information” box at the top of the fact sheet.

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This general content is independent of the molecule and is neither a use strategy nor a protocol.

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