If someone were to mention copper, our minds would probably conjure images of metal pipes or jewelry. However, aside from its decorative and functional uses, copper is surprisingly produced by the body in the form of GHK-Cu, which is a tripeptide (i.e. three amino acids fused with the element of copper). Both in the body and in skincare products, copper peptides are employed for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which extend to helping wounds heal faster, boosting immune system response and increasing collagen production.
Because our skin’s matrix gradually begins to break down as we age, it gradually loses its natural ability to self-regenerate and consequently produces less of some substances. The decline of GHK-Cu production is no different, and this is where skincare infused with copper peptides is called in to work its magic. In products like creams, serums and concentrates, copper peptides are at their most effective since such products are designed to be left on the skin for many hours, unlike cleansers or masks which are expected to be washed off after a certain period of time. Because copper tripeptide stimulates the production of collagen, it’s said to help increase dermal elasticity and firmness. It also gives the skin a plumper appearance due to being able to trigger the hyaluronic acid that naturally resides in our skin. Such reactions help to target and reduce the visibility of wrinkles, fine lines and even residual scarring. However, copper’s benefits not only extend to mature skin, but also to those prone to acne. Copper peptides are said to be able to help balance out the bacteria levels of the skin as well as encouraging dermal healing, which contributes to better-looking, healthier skin that can recover from damage at a faster rate – just as it did when we were younger.
Fun fact – lysyl oxidase, an enzyme in our bodies that’s known to be activated by copper, plays quite a large role in how our bodies assimilate this trace mineral. Multiple studies have conducted research into how copper impacts collagen, the findings of which can be relayed in simple terms – basically, the higher a skin cell’s content of copper, the more collagen is produced. This science is what makes lysyl oxidase vital for collagen maturation.
A word of warning – although copper is both a beneficial and necessary component to healthier, more youthful skin, you can actually have too much of a good thing. An overdose of copper peptides can actually prove counterintuitive – despite being a less harsh alternative to retinoids, a high dose can result in dermal irritation, leading to reactions in the form of rashes. In the worst case scenario, they are said to cause nausea, gastrointestinal problems and even organ system toxicity. To avoid such adverse effects, avoid ingesting copper peptides and always check the concentration used in skincare products. The good news, however, is that they’re not generally found in high amounts – copper peptides are usually only used in low doses in skincare products since they’re too potent to be used alone.
Because copper peptides are newcomers to the anti-aging market, further scientific research needs to be undertaken in order to fully understand the true extent of their benefits. Nevertheless, thus far, they have shown great potential when it comes to reducing wrinkles and combating skin conditions, which means this is only the tip of the iceberg.
If you’d like to read more about peptides, please do check out our post on What Are Peptides?