Pair page
Argireline with GHK-Cu
Mechanism-tag overlap and published literature for Argireline and GHK-Cu, 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.
cosmetic-peptidesnap-25-mimetic
connective-tissuecopper-tripeptide-skin
Co-administration notes from the literature
Verbatim summary text pulled from each compound's profile data. Researchers studying Argireline and GHK-Cu have published these mechanism-level observations. Not a co-administration recommendation.
A broad-spectrum signal tripeptide with copper chelation, documented effects on fibroblast collagen synthesis, metalloproteinase modulation, and anti-inflammatory activity. Commonly co-formulated with Argireline in anti-aging serums; formulation note — do not combine at pH extremes and isolate GHK-Cu from high-dose L-ascorbic acid in the same phase.
Quick facts
Argireline
GHK-Cu
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 1995 | GHK-Cu | Buffoni F, Pino R, Dal Pozzo A. Effect of tripeptide-copper complexes on the process of healing of cutaneous wounds in mice. Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther. 1995;330(3):345-360. PMID: 9060874. PMID 9060874 | preclinical, in vivo |
| 1993 | GHK-Cu | Maquart FX, Bellon G, Chaqour B, Wegrowski J, Patt LM, Trachy RE, et al. In vivo stimulation of connective tissue accumulation by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu²⁺ in rat experimental wounds. J Clin Invest. 1993;92(5):2368-2376. PMID: 8227353. PMID 8227353 | preclinical, in vivo |
| 2011 | GHK-Cu | Hostynek JJ, Dreher F, Maibach HI. Human skin penetration of a copper tripeptide in vitro as a function of skin layer. Inflamm Res. 2011;60(1):79-86. PMID: 20835751. PMID 20835751 | preclinical, in vitro |
| 2007 | GHK-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. PMID: 17702486. PMID 17702486 | preclinical, in vitro |
| 1988 | GHK-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. PMID: 3169264. PMID 3169264 | preclinical, in vitro |
| 2017 | GHK-Cu | Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. The Effect of the Human Peptide GHK on Gene Expression Relevant to Nervous System Function and Cognitive Decline. Brain Sci. 2017;7(2):20. PMID: 28212278. PMID 28212278 | mechanism / discovery |
| 2012 | GHK-Cu | Campbell JD, McDonough JE, Zeskind JE, Hackett TL, Pechkovsky DV, Brandsma CA, et al. A gene expression signature of emphysema-related lung destruction and its reversal by the tripeptide GHK. Genome Med. 2012;4(8):67. PMID: 22937864. PMID 22937864 | mechanism / discovery |
| 1973 | GHK-Cu | Pickart L, Thaler MM. Tripeptide in human serum which prolongs survival of normal liver cells and stimulates growth in neoplastic liver. Nat New Biol. 1973;243(124):85-87. PMID: 4351857. (Original discovery publication.) PMID 4351857 | mechanism / discovery |
| 2026 | GHK-Cu | WADA Prohibited List 2026. World Anti-Doping Agency. wada-ama.org. | regulatory / registry |
| 2025 | GHK-Cu | FDA. Bulk Drug Substances That Raise Significant Safety Risks (Category 2) Under Section 503A / 503B. FDA.gov. Updated 2025-2026. | regulatory / registry |
| 2018 | GHK-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. PMID: 29986520. doi:10.3390/ijms19071987. (Comprehensive modern review.) PMID 29986520 | research article |
| 2015 | GHK-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. PMID: 26236730. PMID 26236730 | research article |
Related pair pages
More research context
Frequently asked
Have Argireline and GHK-Cu been studied together?
Researchers have published mechanistic-level co-administration discussion of Argireline and GHK-Cu. No human co-administration trials are catalogued in the Kalios profiles. The pair page lists each compound's classified literature; full citations sit on each individual profile.
What mechanisms do Argireline and GHK-Cu share?
Argireline and GHK-Cu do not share a specific mechanism tag on their Kalios profiles. They appear on the same pair page because at least one profile lists the other in its co-administration data.
What is the FDA status of Argireline and GHK-Cu?
Argireline: Cosmetic ingredient (not a drug). GHK-Cu: Cosmetic ingredient; Category 2 for injection. 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 Argireline and GHK-Cu?
Full citation lists, dosing tables from the literature, reconstitution data, and the FDA / WADA status are on the individual compound profiles: the Argireline profile and the GHK-Cu profile. The Kalios Stack Research Tool hub lists every compound covered.
Last updated: April 2026