Copper is known for its anti-aging properties, which can visibly diminish fine lines and wrinkles. This ingredient also promotes collagen production, which gives skin a tighter and more youthful look. In addition, copper peptides have anti-inflammatory benefits that can help with reducing scarring and pigmentation, as well as redness. And it can even boost hyaluronic acid production, which helps keep the skin plump and hydrated.
Omaha, Nebraska dermatologist Joel Schlessinger, MD says that for decades, copper complex peptide has been used to stimulate the skin’s fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. “They can also help with healing of the skin after in-office procedures such as chemical peels and microdermabrasion, because they speed up the wound healing process,” he says.
Prudvi Kaka, chief scientific officer at Deciem, says that while there’s a lot of “skin-smoothing research” around the copper bound to peptide ingredient, many of those studies were set up and paid for by the manufacturers of the ingredients, so they’re rarely objective. However, she adds that recent gene profiling studies have shown that GHK-copper is able to up- and down-regulate a number of genes associated with the skin’s response to stress and injury, including cell growth and repair.
For best results, you can use this ingredient in conjunction with other age-fighting products, but you should avoid using it with vitamin C because copper can oxidize the ascorbic acid and make it less effective. In addition, you should not use it with any retinols or exfoliating acids because copper can interfere with the way your skin absorbs those active ingredients.