Professional water-soluble copper peptide powder for cosmetic formulation
Copper Peptide Powder, commonly known as GHK-Cu, is a concentrated blue active used in premium anti-ageing, skin-conditioning and scalp-care formulations. Unlike pre-diluted solutions, the powder gives formulators control over the final concentration.
Available from JustGlow in small quantities without an industrial minimum order quantity.
Concentrated cosmetic raw material. It must not be applied directly to the skin.
Copper Peptide at a Glance
- INCI: Copper Tripeptide-1
- Form: Blue to blue-violet powder
- Solubility: Water-soluble; not oil-soluble
- Typical use level: 0.05–0.20%
- Recommended pH: 5.0–7.0
- Preferred pH: 5.5–6.5
- Processing: Add below 40°C
- Function: Skin conditioning
- Assay: See the batch-specific COA
What Is Copper Tripeptide-1?
Copper Tripeptide-1 is a copper complex of the tripeptide GHK, formed from glycine, histidine and lysine. It is used in products designed to support smoother, firmer and healthier-looking skin.
Its blue colour comes from the copper-peptide complex and is normal. The powder should be accurately weighed, dissolved in purified water and added during cool-down.
Why Formulators Use It
- Premium anti-ageing serums, creams and gel-creams
- Products targeting the appearance of fine lines and loss of firmness
- Smoothing, antioxidant and skin-conditioning formulations
- Hydrating skincare, scalp serums and specialist hair products
Technical Details
| Property | Information |
|---|---|
| INCI | Copper Tripeptide-1 |
| Appearance | Blue to blue-violet powder |
| Solubility | Water-soluble |
| Use level | 0.05–0.20% |
| Preferred pH | 5.5–6.5 |
| Processing | Below 40°C |
| Phase | Water phase or cool-down |
| Function | Skin conditioning |
How to Incorporate Copper Peptide Powder
- Weigh the powder using a calibrated precision balance.
- Reserve purified or deionised water from the formulation.
- Use approximately 10–20 times the powder’s weight in water.
- Keep the water at room temperature or below 30°C.
- Add the powder slowly and mix gently until dissolved.
- Add the blue solution during cool-down below 40°C.
- Mix until uniform and check the final pH.
- Target pH 5.5–6.5. Recheck pH, colour and appearance after 24 hours.
Copper Tripeptide-1 does not need to be melted, heated or dispersed in oil. High-shear mixing is not normally required after the main emulsion or gel has formed.
Use-Level Calculations
For a 100g finished formulation:
- 0.05% = 0.05g powder
- 0.10% = 0.10g powder
- 0.20% = 0.20g powder
An accurate laboratory balance is essential. For an exact active concentration, correct the quantity using the assay stated on the batch-specific COA.
Compatibility
Copper Tripeptide-1 can generally be formulated with Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Propanediol, Panthenol, Ectoin, Betaine, Niacinamide at a compatible pH, non-chelating peptides and suitable gel or emulsion bases.
Avoid or carefully evaluate:
- EDTA and other strong chelating agents
- Low-pH L-ascorbic acid serums
- Strong AHA or BHA systems
- Glutathione, sulfites and strong reducing agents
- Strong oxidising agents
- Highly acidic or alkaline formulations
If citric acid is used for pH adjustment, use only the minimum required and confirm compatibility through stability testing.
Suitable Applications
- Anti-ageing, hydrating and peptide serums
- Gel-creams, creams and lotions
- Eye-area products, subject to safety assessment
- Hydrating face masks
- Scalp serums and hair-root products
Preservation
The dry powder does not require a cosmetic preservative. Once dissolved in water or added to a water-containing product, the finished formulation requires an appropriate preservation system unless demonstrated to be microbiologically low risk.
Do not store a homemade aqueous stock unless correctly preserved and tested.
Storage and Handling
Store tightly sealed in a cool, dry place, protected from light and moisture. Use clean, dry utensils and reseal immediately. Avoid generating or inhaling dust. Keep away from children. Follow the current SDS and batch-specific COA.
Regulatory Notice
For professional cosmetic formulation use only. Not for direct skin application, ingestion, injection or medical use.
The finished-product manufacturer is responsible for stability, compatibility, microbial, safety and regulatory assessments. Finished cosmetics require an appropriate Cosmetic Product Safety Report before sale.