GHK-Cu vs AHK-Cu: Mechanism, Specs & Reported Ranges Compared
Side-by-side comparison of GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu — receptor mechanism, half-life, vial sizes, reconstitution and reported study arms.
By PX1 Research Team · August 4, 2026
GHK-Cu vs AHK-Cu at a glance
| GHK-Cu | AHK-Cu | |
|---|---|---|
| Class | copper-binding tripeptide | copper-binding tripeptide (Ala-His-Lys) |
| Reported half-life | not well characterized | not well characterized |
| Vial sizes | 50 mg / 100 mg | 50 mg |
| Typical reconstitution | 50 mg + 5 mL = 10 mg/mL | 50 mg + 5 mL = 10 mg/mL |
| Research focus | extracellular-matrix, skin and hair-follicle research | follicular and dermal research |
Mechanistic difference
Both are copper-binding tripeptides. GHK-Cu dominates extracellular-matrix and skin literature; AHK-Cu appears more in follicular research.
Reported study ranges side by side
GHK-Cu
| Study arm | Reported amount | Cadence |
|---|---|---|
| Topical models | 1–2 mg | daily |
| Subcutaneous arms | 1–2 mg | daily |
AHK-Cu
| Study arm | Reported amount | Cadence |
|---|---|---|
| Topical models | 1–2 mg | daily |
Practical handling differences
Both arrive lyophilized and shelf-stable. GHK-Cu is typically prepared at 50 mg + 5 mL = 10 mg/mL; AHK-Cu at 50 mg + 5 mL = 10 mg/mL. Where half-lives differ, the literature's dosing cadence differs accordingly — longer-acting molecules are described weekly, shorter-acting ones daily or split.
Which one appears in which research context
GHK-Cu shows up primarily in extracellular-matrix, skin and hair-follicle research. AHK-Cu is used in follicular and dermal research. They are not interchangeable substitutes; the receptor profile, not the marketing category, determines where each is used.
Documentation and sourcing
Both are supplied at ≥99% HPLC purity with lot-level COAs at /coa. Product pages: GHK-Cu · AHK-Cu.
How PX1 documents every lot
Every PX1 lot ships with HPLC purity, LC-MS identity, residual solvent, moisture (Karl Fischer), sterility and endotoxin data. Lot documentation is published at /purity-reports, /endotoxin-reports and /coa. Synthesis, purification, lyophilization and vial fill happen in U.S. facilities — see /manufacturing-process.
Research use only. PX1 Research supplies compounds for laboratory and in-vitro research. Nothing here is medical advice, a dosing recommendation, or an offer for human or veterinary use. Figures cited are reported from published laboratory literature.