Pair page
AHK-Cu with Argireline
Mechanism-tag overlap and published literature for AHK-Cu and Argireline, pulled verbatim from each Kalios compound profile. Kalios is a literature reference, not a recommendation.
Mechanism overlap
Mechanism tags are verbatim labels on each compound's profile. Generic tags ("peptide", "small-molecule", "research-chemical") are excluded from this overlap view. Tags are descriptive — not an inference about combined effect.
AHK-Cu unique
copper-tripeptidehair
Shared
cosmetic-peptide
Argireline unique
snap-25-mimetic
Quick facts
AHK-Cu
RouteTopical scalp
Half-lifeNot listed
FDA statusCosmetic ingredient
WADANot listed (N/A topical)
Argireline
RouteTopical only (cosmetic)
Half-lifeNot listed
FDA statusCosmetic ingredient (not a drug)
WADAN/A (topical cosmetic)
Literature table
Classified references from each compound profile. Click a column header to sort. Click a PMID to open PubMed. Findings are quoted verbatim from each profile's literature_summary; nothing here is added or interpreted.
| Year | Compound | Source | Finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | AHK-Cu | Dhurat R, Sukesh M, Avhad G, Dandale A, Pal A, Pund P. A Randomized Evaluator Blinded Study of Effect of Microneedling in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Pilot Study. Int J Trichology. 2013;5(1):6-11. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.114700. PMID: 23960389. (Microneedling + minoxidil RCT — the pr… PMID 23960389 | human trial |
| 1998 | AHK-Cu | Lachgar S, Charveron M, Gall Y, Bonafe JL. Minoxidil upregulates the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human hair dermal papilla cells. Br J Dermatol. 1998;138(3):407-411. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2133.1998.02115.x. PMID: 9580790. (Clinically validated positive-contr… PMID 9580790 | human study |
| 2001 | AHK-Cu | Yano K, Brown LF, Detmar M. Control of hair growth and follicle size by VEGF-mediated angiogenesis. J Clin Invest. 2001;107(4):409-417. doi:10.1172/JCI11317. PMID: 11181640. (Transgenic VEGF overexpression increases perifollicular vascularization, accelerates hair regrowth, and… PMID 11181640 | preclinical, in vivo |
| 2007 | AHK-Cu | Pyo HK, Yoo HG, Won CH, Lee SH, Kang YJ, Eun HC, Cho KH, Kim KH. The effect of tripeptide-copper complex on human hair growth in vitro. Arch Pharm Res. 2007;30(7):834-839. doi:10.1007/BF02978833. PMID: 17703734. (The foundational AHK-Cu in-vitro / ex-vivo paper — dermal papilla… PMID 17703734 | preclinical, in vitro |
| 1988 | AHK-Cu | Maquart FX, Pickart L, Laurent M, Gillery P, Monboisse JC, Borel JP. Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+. FEBS Lett. 1988;238(2):343-346. doi:10.1016/0014-5793(88)80509-x. PMID: 3169264. (Found… PMID 3169264 | preclinical, in vitro |
| 2018 | AHK-Cu | Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(7):1987. doi:10.3390/ijms19071987. PMID: 29986520. (Comprehensive review of copper-peptide gene-expression effects — scaffold for AHK-Cu me… PMID 29986520 | review |
| 2008 | AHK-Cu | Pickart L. The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling. J Biomater Sci Polym Ed. 2008;19(8):969-988. doi:10.1163/156856208784909435. PMID: 18644225. (Authoritative Pickart review of the copper-peptide tissue-remodeling framework.) PMID 18644225 | review |
| 2015 | AHK-Cu | Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:648108. doi:10.1155/2015/648108. PMID: 26236730. (Multi-pathway copper-peptide mechanism review — foundational context for… PMID 26236730 | research article |
| 2012 | AHK-Cu | Li W, Man XY, Li CM, Chen JQ, Zhou J, Cai SQ, Lu ZF, Zheng M. VEGF induces proliferation of human hair follicle dermal papilla cells through VEGFR-2-mediated activation of ERK. Exp Cell Res. 2012;318(14):1633-1640. doi:10.1016/j.yexcr.2012.05.003. PMID: 22659165. (Downstream VEG… PMID 22659165 | research article |
| 2012 | AHK-Cu | Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. The human tripeptide GHK-Cu in prevention of oxidative stress and degenerative conditions of aging: implications for cognitive health. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2012;2012:324832. doi:10.1155/2012/324832. PMID: 22666519. (Copper-peptide agi… PMID 22666519 | research article |
| 2000 | AHK-Cu | Siméon A, Wegrowski Y, Bontemps Y, Maquart FX. Expression of glycosaminoglycans and small proteoglycans in wounds: modulation by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu(2+). J Invest Dermatol. 2000;115(6):962-968. doi:10.1046/j.1523-1747.2000.00166.x. PMID: 1… PMID 11121126 | research article |
| 1999 | AHK-Cu | Simeon A, Monier F, Emonard H, Gillery P, Birembaut P, Hornebeck W, Maquart FX. Expression and activation of matrix metalloproteinases in wounds: modulation by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu(2+). J Invest Dermatol. 1999;112(6):957-964. doi:10.1046/j.… PMID 10383745 | research article |
| 2025 | Argireline | Zdrada-Nowak J, Surgiel-Gemza A, Szatkowska M. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 in Cosmeceuticals — A Review of Skin Permeability and Efficacy. Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Jun 14;26(12):5722. doi: 10.3390/ijms26125722. PMID: 40565185. (Most recent systematic review; formulation science is the domin… PMID 40565185 | systematic review |
| 2019 | Argireline | Choi SY, Kwon HJ, Ahn GR, Ko EJ, Yoo KH, Kim BJ, Lee C, Kim D. Anti-Wrinkle Efficacy of Cross-Linked Hyaluronic Acid-Based Microneedle Patch with Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Epidermal Growth Factor on Korean Skin. Ann Dermatol. 2019 Jun;31(3):263-271. doi: 10.5021/ad.2019.31.3.263.… PMID 33911590 | human trial |
| 2017 | Argireline | Raikou V, Varvaresou A, Panderi I, Papageorgiou E. The efficacy study of the combination of tripeptide-10-citrulline and acetyl hexapeptide-3. A prospective, randomized controlled study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2017 Jun;16(2):271-278. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12314. PMID: 28150423. (Four-ar… PMID 28150423 | human trial |
| 2013 | Argireline | Wang Y, Wang M, Xiao S, Pan P, Li P, Huo J. The anti-wrinkle efficacy of argireline, a synthetic hexapeptide, in Chinese subjects: a randomized, placebo-controlled study. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2013 Apr;14(2):147-153. doi: 10.1007/s40257-013-0009-9. PMID: 23417317. (The largest ran… PMID 23417317 | human trial |
| 2013 | Argireline | Lungu C, Considine E, Zahir S, Ponsati B, Arrastia S, Hallett M. Pilot study of topical acetyl hexapeptide-8 in the treatment for blepharospasm in patients receiving botulinum toxin therapy. Eur J Neurol. 2013 Mar;20(3):515-518. doi: 10.1111/ene.12009. PMID: 23146065. (NIH / NIN… PMID 23146065 | human trial |
| 2002 | Argireline | Blanes-Mira C, Clemente J, Jodas G, Gil A, Fernández-Ballester G, Ponsati B, Gutierrez L, Pérez-Payá E, Ferrer-Montiel A. A synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) with antiwrinkle activity. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2002 Oct;24(5):303-310. doi: 10.1046/j.1467-2494.2002.00153.x. PMID: 184985… PMID 18498523 | human pilot |
| 2013 | Argireline | Wang Y, Wang M, Xiao XS, Pan P, Li P, Huo J. The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2013 Aug;15(4):237-241. doi: 10.3109/14764172.2013.769273. PMID: 23607739. (Companion murine / clinical paper — D-galactose-aged… PMID 23607739 | preclinical, in vivo |
| 2015 | Argireline | Kraeling MEK, Zhou W, Wang P, Ogunsola OA. In vitro skin penetration of acetyl hexapeptide-8 from a cosmetic formulation. Cutan Ocul Toxicol. 2015 Mar;34(1):46-52. doi: 10.3109/15569527.2014.894521. PMID: 24754410. (Independent FDA in vitro penetration study — ~0.22% of 10% appl… PMID 24754410 | preclinical, in vitro |
| 2021 | Argireline | Lim SH, Kathuria H, Amir MHB, Zhang X, Duong HTT, Ho PCL, Kang L. High resolution photopolymer for 3D printing of personalised microneedle for transdermal delivery of anti-wrinkle small peptide. J Control Release. 2021 Jan 10;329:907-918. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.10.021. PMID… PMID 33068646 | pharmacology |
| 2020 | Argireline | Errante F, Ledwoń P, Latajka R, Rovero P, Papini AM. Cosmeceutical Peptides in the Framework of Sustainable Wellness Economy. Front Chem. 2020 Oct 26;8:572923. doi: 10.3389/fchem.2020.572923. PMID: 33195060. (Contextual review of cosmetic-peptide biochemistry and categorisation;… PMID 33195060 | review |
| 2024 | Argireline | Public Interest in Acetyl Hexapeptide-8: Longitudinal Analysis. JMIR Dermatol. 2024;7:e54217. doi: 10.2196/54217. PMID: 38376906. (Google Trends analysis 2013-2023; post-2022 TikTok-driven consumer search surge; coining of "Botox in a bottle" in popular culture.) PMID 38376906 | research article |
| 2020 | Argireline | Lim SH, Tiew WJ, Zhang J, Ho PC, Kachouie NN, Kang L. Geometrical optimisation of a personalised microneedle eye patch for transdermal delivery of anti-wrinkle small peptide. Biofabrication. 2020;12(3):035003. doi: 10.1088/1758-5090/ab6d37. PMID: 31952064. (3D-printed personalis… PMID 31952064 | research article |
Related pair pages
More research context
Frequently asked
Have AHK-Cu and Argireline been studied together?
No co-administration studies between AHK-Cu and Argireline are catalogued on Kalios. The pair page lists only the individual published literature for each compound and any shared mechanism tags.
What mechanisms do AHK-Cu and Argireline share?
AHK-Cu and Argireline share these mechanism tags on their Kalios profiles: cosmetic-peptide. Tags are descriptive and verbatim from each compound profile — not an inference of combined effect.
What is the FDA status of AHK-Cu and Argireline?
AHK-Cu: Cosmetic ingredient. Argireline: Cosmetic ingredient (not a drug). FDA-status text is pulled verbatim from each compound profile. See /fda-pcac-2026.html for the broader FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee context.
Where can I find the full research on AHK-Cu and Argireline?
Full citation lists, dosing tables from the literature, reconstitution data, and the FDA / WADA status are on the individual compound profiles: the AHK-Cu profile and the Argireline profile. The Kalios Stack Research Tool hub lists every compound covered.
Last updated: April 2026