AHK-Cu is a copper complex of the tripeptide alanyl-histidyl-lysine, sold cosmetically as Copper Tripeptide-3. It is a chemical relative of GHK-Cu and is marketed for hair-follicle stimulation and skin support. It appears mainly as a cosmetic ingredient or a research chemical rather than an approved medicine.

Does AHK-Cu regrow hair?

This has not been established in people. The most-cited evidence used cultured human cells and excised hair follicles in the laboratory, not living participants, and well-controlled clinical trials specifically on AHK-Cu are lacking. Efficacy percentages circulating online are not supported by locatable peer-reviewed trials.

What is the difference between AHK-Cu and GHK-Cu?

They are different copper-binding tripeptides: AHK-Cu is alanyl-histidyl-lysine, GHK-Cu is glycyl-histidyl-lysine. Both act as copper carriers and are discussed together, but GHK-Cu has substantially more published research behind it. AHK-Cu has far less evidence of its own, so results for one should not be assumed for the other.

Is AHK-Cu the same as Copper Tripeptide-3?

Yes. Copper Tripeptide-3 is the INCI cosmetic-ingredient name for the same AHK copper complex, which is why the compound appears in some topical serums under that label. The cosmetic listing covers topical use only and is not an approval of the compound as a medicine.

Is AHK-Cu approved or legal?

AHK-Cu is not approved as a drug for any indication. As Copper Tripeptide-3 it is used as an ingredient in topical cosmetic products, but injectable or systemic use is unapproved and sold only on the research-chemical market. Legal status varies by jurisdiction and by how the product is presented.

Topical copper peptides are generally regarded as well tolerated in cosmetic use, with local skin irritation or redness the plausible reaction. AHK-Cu itself has limited safety documentation, and for injectable or systemic use the adverse-effect profile is not established in humans. This is educational information, not medical advice.

Where can I buy AHK-Cu and compare vendors?

Use the vendor comparison on this page. It shows only checked, product-specific links and identifies vendor claims, independent documentation and affiliate relationships separately. Availability and legal status can vary by country.

Skin / Cosmetic

Buy AHK-Cu – Vendors, Prices, Testing and Evidence

Buy AHK-Cu

Also known as: Copper Tripeptide-3 · AHK copper peptide · alanyl-histidyl-lysine copper · Ala-His-Lys-Cu

Evidence grade C — Early / PreclinicalRisk flag

Short answer

A copper-binding tripeptide (alanine-histidine-lysine plus copper) marketed for hair growth and skin. Evidence is limited to a small amount of in vitro/ex vivo laboratory work; robust human clinical data are lacking.

Where can you buy AHK-Cu?

Crystal Peptides. The table lists only product-specific offers that were checked and for which a real destination exists. Missing prices, quantities, stock and laboratory details are not inferred.

What is known?

AHK-Cu is a copper complex of the tripeptide alanyl-histidyl-lysine, also sold cosmetically as 'Copper Tripeptide-3.' It is a chemical sibling of the better-known copper peptide GHK-Cu and is marketed for hair-follicle stimulation and skin support. It appears mainly as a cosmetic ingredient or a 'research chemical' rather than an approved medicine.

What is not established?

Safety

Topical copper peptides are generally regarded as well tolerated in cosmetic use, but AHK-Cu itself has limited safety documentation, and there is little human data for injectable or systemic use. Local skin reactions are plausible with topical application.

Regulatory status

Not approved as a drug. The tripeptide appears as a cosmetic ingredient (INCI 'Copper Tripeptide-3') in topical products; injectable or systemic use is unapproved and sold only as a 'research chemical.'

Not medical advice. This educational reference is not diagnosis, treatment, prescribing, dosing or emergency guidance. Consult a qualified professional before making health-related decisions.

Regulatory or safety concern: This substance may be unapproved for human use, affect the hormonal system, or be subject to regulator or anti-doping restrictions. Check the cited evidence and rules in your jurisdiction.

Vendor comparison

Buy AHK-Cu: compare vendors

The table lists only product-specific offers that were checked and for which a real destination exists. Missing prices, quantities, stock and laboratory details are not inferred.

Vendor	Product	Documentation	Shipping	Checked	Action
Crystal Peptides Code PEPTIDES10 −10% · discount code details Sponsored	AHK-Cu research product	Vendor-supplied data COA stated as available Not independently documented	Europe See the localized country store	Jul 18, 2026	View at vendor

Crystal Peptides

AHK-Cu research product

Code PEPTIDES10 −10% · discount code details

What is it?

Research and evidence

AHK-Cu is a copper complex of the tripeptide alanyl-histidyl-lysine (Ala-His-Lys), and it also appears in cosmetics under the INCI name Copper Tripeptide-3. It is a chemical sibling of the far better-known copper peptide GHK-Cu, and it is marketed mainly for hair-follicle stimulation and skin support. Its regulatory position depends on how it is used: the tripeptide is an accepted cosmetic ingredient in topical products, while injectable or systemic use is unapproved and sold only as a research chemical. It is not approved as a drug for any indication. peptides.cx catalogues it under Skin / Cosmetic with an evidence grade of C.

The evidence base is small and almost entirely laboratory-based. The most-cited work is an in vitro and ex vivo study in which AHK-Cu was reported to promote elongation of cultured human hair follicles and proliferation of dermal papilla cells — that is, cultured cells and excised tissue, not living participants. Proposed effects include supporting dermal papilla cell survival and increasing VEGF, which is consistent with copper-peptide biology but rests on limited data. Dedicated animal-model data for AHK-Cu are sparse in the indexed literature, and well-controlled clinical trials on the compound itself are lacking. Some efficacy figures that circulate online are not supported by locatable peer-reviewed trials, so precise-sounding percentages deserve scepticism.

Topical copper peptides are generally regarded as well tolerated in cosmetic use, and local skin irritation or redness is the plausible complaint with topical application. AHK-Cu itself, however, has limited safety documentation of its own, and for injectable or systemic use the adverse-effect profile is not established in humans. Much of what people believe about AHK-Cu is borrowed from GHK-Cu, which has considerably more published research behind it; the two are related but not interchangeable in evidentiary terms, and the hair-growth case for AHK-Cu still rests largely on one laboratory study. This page is an educational reference summarising what the science does and does not show; it is not medical advice, and it does not provide dosing, protocols, or sourcing guidance.

Evidence grade: C

Human clinical evidence for AHK-Cu is very limited. The most-cited study used cultured human cells and excised follicles (in vitro/ex vivo), not living participants. Well-controlled clinical trials specifically on AHK-Cu are lacking, and some efficacy figures circulating online are not supported by locatable peer-reviewed trials. Dedicated animal-model data for AHK-Cu are sparse in the indexed literature; most mechanistic support comes from cell-culture and ex vivo tissue work.

Human evidence

Animal and preclinical evidence

Dedicated animal-model data for AHK-Cu are sparse in the indexed literature; most mechanistic support comes from cell-culture and ex vivo tissue work.

Proposed mechanisms

In an in vitro/ex vivo study, AHK-Cu was reported to promote elongation of cultured human hair follicles and proliferation of dermal papilla cells
Proposed effects include supporting dermal papilla cell survival and increasing VEGF, consistent with copper-peptide biology, though this rests on limited data
As a copper carrier it is discussed alongside GHK-Cu, but has far less published research of its own

Safety concerns and known side effects

Possible local skin irritation or redness with topical use
For injectable or systemic use, the adverse-effect profile is not established in humans

Regulatory status

Frequently asked questions about AHK-Cu

What is AHK-Cu?: AHK-Cu is a copper complex of the tripeptide alanyl-histidyl-lysine, sold cosmetically as Copper Tripeptide-3. It is a chemical relative of GHK-Cu and is marketed for hair-follicle stimulation and skin support. It appears mainly as a cosmetic ingredient or a research chemical rather than an approved medicine.
Does AHK-Cu regrow hair?: This has not been established in people. The most-cited evidence used cultured human cells and excised hair follicles in the laboratory, not living participants, and well-controlled clinical trials specifically on AHK-Cu are lacking. Efficacy percentages circulating online are not supported by locatable peer-reviewed trials.
What is the difference between AHK-Cu and GHK-Cu?: They are different copper-binding tripeptides: AHK-Cu is alanyl-histidyl-lysine, GHK-Cu is glycyl-histidyl-lysine. Both act as copper carriers and are discussed together, but GHK-Cu has substantially more published research behind it. AHK-Cu has far less evidence of its own, so results for one should not be assumed for the other.
Is AHK-Cu the same as Copper Tripeptide-3?: Yes. Copper Tripeptide-3 is the INCI cosmetic-ingredient name for the same AHK copper complex, which is why the compound appears in some topical serums under that label. The cosmetic listing covers topical use only and is not an approval of the compound as a medicine.
Is AHK-Cu approved or legal?: AHK-Cu is not approved as a drug for any indication. As Copper Tripeptide-3 it is used as an ingredient in topical cosmetic products, but injectable or systemic use is unapproved and sold only on the research-chemical market. Legal status varies by jurisdiction and by how the product is presented.
Is AHK-Cu safe?: Topical copper peptides are generally regarded as well tolerated in cosmetic use, with local skin irritation or redness the plausible reaction. AHK-Cu itself has limited safety documentation, and for injectable or systemic use the adverse-effect profile is not established in humans. This is educational information, not medical advice.
Where can I buy AHK-Cu and compare vendors?: Use the vendor comparison on this page. It shows only checked, product-specific links and identifies vendor claims, independent documentation and affiliate relationships separately. Availability and legal status can vary by country.

Common discussion areas

Discussed as a copper-peptide option for hair thinning, often compared with GHK-CuIncluded in some cosmetic serums under the name Copper Tripeptide-3Debated for scalp and hair applications largely on the basis of the 2007 in vitro study

Sources

The effect of tripeptide-copper complex on human hair growth in vitro — Archives of Pharmacal Research · PubMed

Editorial review and transparency

Written by: peptides.cx Editorial Team
Scientific reviewer: No named medical reviewer is currently assigned
Last editorial review: July 18, 2026
Last vendor check: July 18, 2026
Review method: Source review, claim verification, vendor-data separation and regulatory-context review.
Commercial disclosure and conflicts: Vendor relationships do not determine evidence or safety ratings. No named reviewer conflict is recorded because no named reviewer is assigned.

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