Comparing Different Types of Copper Peptides
You’ve heard all the hype about copper peptides and how they can support better-looking skin and hair. But did you know there are multiple types of copper peptides? Choosing the right one for your specific goals is obviously of the utmost importance.
We’ve put together this guide comparing different types of copper peptides, including the two most popular you’ll come across - AHK-Cu and GHK-Cu. You’ll also learn how other peptides stack up, such as palmitoyl peptides, argireline, and more.
PLU Laboratories has the perfect copper peptide serum whether you’re looking to grow thicker-looking hair or nourish your skin and turn back the hands of time. Find your new favorite peptide formula today!
Key Takeaways
- There are five main copper peptide types, and they all work a little differently.
- GHK-Cu has more evidence than essentially all the other types combined.
- AHK-Cu is becoming a lot more sought after as we see what it can do for skin and hair.
- Other copper peptides include SRCP, GQPR copper complex, and lipophilic conjugates.
- There are other types of peptides in general, including Palmitoyl Peptides and Argireline.
- Many people find that the best approach is combining peptides rather than trying to isolate “the best” for a specific goal.
- PLU Laboratories makes clinically concentrated peptide formulas backed by research.
The Different Types of Copper Peptides
The term “copper peptide” actually refers to a family of molecules rather than a single ingredient. It’s a broad umbrella term under which quite a few different types of copper peptides belong.
What separates these peptides is the specific amino acid each is bound to, and what that means for your skin and hair. Let’s start with by far the most popular peptide in the world right now.
GHK-Cu
GHK-Cu is short for glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine bound to copper. It was actually first identified in human blood plasma back in the 1970s by Dr. Loren Pickart. In other words, you have GHK-Cu in your body right now. It’s just a question of how much you have, because natural levels plummet with age.
It’s believed that GHK-Cu can drop from around 200 ng/mL at age 20 to as little as 80 ng/mL by the time you are 60 years old. Given the connections GHK-Cu has to skin firmness and hair density, it’s no wonder the signs of aging show up so prominently.
There are plenty of studies on what GHK-Cu can do. It’s closely connected to cellular signaling pathways like collagen synthesis, tissue remodeling, and antioxidant defense.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jenna Queller says it can “strengthen follicles, encourage blood flow and support thicker, healthier hair growth.”1 But GHK-Cu can also work wonders for the skin, encouraging collagen production to minimize the appearance of fine lines and create a firmer-looking complexion.
That’s the beauty of GHK-Cu - it’s versatile. As such, you’ll see it in both copper peptides for hair and copper peptides for skin.
AHK-Cu
AHK-Cu is alanine-histidine-lysine bound to copper. It’s actually a synthetic copper peptide that was initially made for topical applications. That’s one of the major differences between AHK-Cu and GHK-Cu.
The other major distinction is how much less evidence we have for AHK-Cu. Now, we know it has potential - that’s why it’s part of our product family here at PLU Laboratories. We wouldn’t sell it if we didn’t wholeheartedly believe in it.
What we do know, according to research, is that AHK-Cu may support hair follicle cell proliferation and bring down cell death markers.2 An AHK-Cu peptide may be worth trying if you didn’t see the results you had hoped for from GHK-Cu.
SRCP
Short for Skin Remodeling Copper Peptides, SRCP is a second-generation copper peptide initially developed by Dr. Pickart in the early 1990s. Yes, the same Pickart behind a lot of the GHK-Cu research we have today!
SRCP were specifically engineered to bind more strongly to the skin and resist breakdown, which was an issue seen with GHK-Cu. The goal was essentially to make copper peptides more bioavailable to the skin.
Most of the evidence on SRCP is specific to wound healing and skin remodeling. For what it’s worth, you’ll be hard-pressed to actually find a product containing SRCP. It’s not a consumer-grade peptide like GHK-Cu or AHK-Cu.
GQPR Copper Complex
GQPR (glycine-glutamine-proline-arginine) is a tetrapeptide copper complex derived from collagen breakdown sequences. What makes it so interesting is how its amino acid sequence mirrors fragments made during natural tissue remodeling.
Like AHK-Cu, we don’t have a ton of evidence for the GQPR copper complex. In fact, we don’t really have anything to go on. But it’s one of the different types of copper peptides you should be aware of nonetheless.
Lipophilic Conjugates
Last but not least, we have lipophilic copper peptide conjugates. These are a fat-soluble group (usually palmitoyl or myristoyl) attached to GHK-Cu to maximize skin penetration. Like we mentioned earlier in discussing SRCP, absorption can be hit or miss with GHK-Cu on its own - and the idea behind lipophilic conjugates is they help minimize that concern.
It makes sense when you think about it. The skin’s outer layer is lipophilic, and GHK-Cu is hydrophilic. That limits how deeply the copper peptide can be absorbed. Putting a lipophilic tail on the copper peptide helps it move through the skin barrier with more ease.
What About Other Types of Peptides in General?
We know you came here curious about comparing the different types of copper peptides, but we want to highlight a few other peptides as well while we’re at it. Especially since the best copper peptide serums technically include some of these.
Palmitoyl Peptides
These signal peptides consist of Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7. They essentially tell the skin to make more collagen. Thus, you’ll find that most copper peptides for skin also include palmitoyl peptides in the mix.
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
This is a biomimetic peptide, and it’s most relevant to hair health. It appears to have a strong correlation to hair follicle anchoring and hair density, which is why you’ll see it paired with GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu in many formulas. It basically keeps the hair rooted during the growth phase, reducing shedding and helping you keep more of the hair you grow.
Argireline
This is another really popular skincare peptide. It’s technically called a neuropeptide. You’ll see it called “Botox in a Bottle.” Argireline minimizes the release of neurotransmitters where nerves meet facial muscles, in turn softening the appearance of fine lines.
Which Peptides Are Right For You?
We hope you have a clear understanding of the many different copper peptides out there. For all intents and purposes, you just need to know about two - GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu. These are the best topical peptides according to research.
But copper peptides are just one piece of the puzzle. Our formulas here at PLU Laboratories feature other complementary peptides as well, ranging from acetyl tetrapeptide-3 to palmitoyl peptides. Find the right formula for your goals today!
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Written by Product Team
