GHK-Cu Cream | Prescription Copper Peptide Topical for ...

The 90-day unlock is here. Up to 76% off.

A prescription 2% copper peptide topical studied for collagen synthesis, skin firmness, and photoaging support — compounded in iThriveMD's in-house laboratory and applied daily.

Over 8,000 patients treated

PRESCRIPTION TOPICAL

What Is GHK-Cu Cream?

GHK-Cu is a natural copper peptide that your body produces to signal skin repair and renewal. Levels decrease with age, leading to thinner skin, loss of elasticity, slower healing, and more visible lines. GHK-Cu cream replenishes this peptide, promoting firmness, texture, and tone. It’s a prescription-strength topical, compounded fresh at iThriveMD and easily integrated into your current skincare routine.

A peptide your skin already recognizes — at a strength you can't buy over the counter

Supports firmness, texture, and protection against everyday skin stress

Compounded fresh in our own lab — never mass-produced, never sitting on a warehouse shelf

Locations in CA & AZ

Provider guided protocols

Telehealth available

What GHK-Cu cream may be used for

GHK-Cu cream works at the source — supporting collagen, antioxidant defense, and your skin's natural repair process. Your iThriveMD provider may recommend it if you're dealing with:

Fine lines & loss of firmness

For skin that isn't as bouncy as it used to be — support for the proteins that keep skin firm

Sun damage & photoaging

Daily antioxidant defense for skin that sees regular UV and environmental stress

Uneven texture & tone

Smoother, more even-looking skin — without stripping the barrier

Post-procedure recovery

Gentle support after microneedling, laser, or other in-office treatments

Thinning or fragile skin

Helps support the structural proteins skin gradually loses with age

Sensitive, reactive skin

Calming support for skin that flushes or reacts easily to change

15g (1-month) and 45g (3-month) pump bottles

Provider-guided peptide skincare protocol

15g bottle

$99.00

No long-term commitment.

45g bottle

$149.00

No long-term commitment.

How GHK-Cu cream works

Three amino acids. One copper ion. A peptide your skin already knows — delivered topically where you want it to work.

(Graphic: GHK-Cu tripeptide structure — Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex)

Collagen & elastin synthesis

Stimulates fibroblast activity and copper-dependent lysyl oxidase, which cross-links the collagen and elastin fibers responsible for skin firmness and elasticity

Collagen

ECM

Antioxidant defense

Neutralizes reactive oxygen species generated by UV exposure and environmental stress; scavenges lipid peroxidation products like HNE and acrolein

ROS

Photoaging

Gene Expression Regulation

Influences approximately 31% of human genes, including those governing skin repair, inflammation, and structural protein production

Gene Expression

Epigenetics

Fibroblast proliferation

Promotes the survival and activity of dermal fibroblasts — the cells responsible for producing collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans

Fibroblasts

Dermal Matrix

Anti-inflammatory signaling

Inhibits NF-kB and p38 MAPK pathways, which may reduce TNF-alpha and IL-6 — inflammatory markers associated with skin aging and barrier disruption

Inflammation

Barrier

Epidermal stem cell support

May promote the survival and proliferation of epidermal basal stem cells, supporting the skin's natural capacity for renewal

Stem Cells

Regeneration

Peptide treatments

Combo

Glow

New

GHK-Cu

New

Semax

Skin Rejuvenation

GHK-Cu Cream

New

Selank

Combo

Wolverine

New

TB-500

New

Epithalon

Repair & Restore

BPC-157

What a typical routine looks like

Your provider builds a routine around your skin, your goals, and what you're already using. Here's what most GHK-Cu cream protocols look like.

Dosing

Strength

2% GHK-Cu

Size

15g (1-month) or 45g (3-month) bottle

Dose

2 full pumps per day

Site

Face and neck — avoid eye area and open wounds

Storage

Room temperature, away from direct light and heat

Compatibility

Discuss retinoids, acids, and other actives with your provider

*All application decisions are made with your prescribing provider. The information above reflects general protocol guidelines — your individual protocol may differ.

What to expect, and when

Results are cumulative — the longer you use it consistently, the more you're likely to see.

2-4 weeks

Skin feels smoother and better hydrated

4-8 weeks

Firmness and tone start to look more even

3+ months

Deeper, more lasting changes as collagen rebuilds

Administration

If your skin gets irritated, red, itchy, or flaky, stop using the cream and let your provider know. Most reactions settle down within a few days of pausing. Your provider can help you decide whether to reintroduce it at a slower pace or switch to a different approach.

Monitoring

Your provider follows up to see how your skin is responding and may adjust how often you apply it, pair it with other peptide therapies, or fine-tune the formulation as you go.

Ready to start?

See if GHK-Cu cream is right for your skin

Your skin isn't like anyone else's — your routine shouldn't be either. Book a free consultation with an iThriveMD provider to talk through your goals and find out whether GHK-Cu cream fits.

Locations in CA & AZ

Provider guided protocols

Telehealth available

Once a day. Five pumps (about a gram) onto clean, dry skin — face and neck. Most patients apply it in the morning or at night based on their routine. Your provider will help you pick the timing that works with anything else you’re using.

Yes. GHK-Cu cream at iThriveMD is a prescription formulation compounded in our sterile cleanroom. It’s not something you can grab off a shelf — a quick consultation with one of our providers is the first step.

Over-the-counter copper peptide products are typically cosmetic-grade, much lower in concentration, and mass-produced to have a shelf life of about a year. In contrast, our cream is a 2% prescription formulation that is freshly compounded in our own USP 797-certified sterile cleanroom. We source our raw peptide from FDA-reviewed, DMF-listed manufacturers, and every batch undergoes testing by two independent third-party laboratories—Eagle Analytical and ARL Labs—to ensure purity, potency, and the absence of contaminants. You can request the Certificate of Analysis for the specific batch you are using at any time.

In our lab, located on-site and not overseas or shipped from a warehouse, iThriveMD operates as an in-house physician compounding lab rather than a traditional pharmacy or supplement brand. Each bottle is freshly compounded in our USP 797-certified sterile cleanroom and is prescribed by your medical provider.

Patients typically begin to notice changes in skin texture and hydration within the first few weeks. Improvements in firmness and tone usually become visible between 4 and 8 weeks. However, significant structural changes—lasting ones—result from consistent use over 3 months or more, as this is the time it takes for collagen to rebuild effectively.

Yes, the order in which products are applied is important. Retinoids can increase skin sensitivity, and vitamin C is acidic enough to compromise the stability of copper peptides if used together. A common recommendation is to apply GHK-Cu in the morning and your retinoid at night, or to alternate them. It’s best to have your skincare provider review your complete routine to determine what works best for your skin.

Absolutely. Sunscreen is the non-negotiable partner to GHK-Cu. UV is one of the main things breaking down collagen in the first place — so wearing broad-spectrum SPF 30+ every morning protects the work your cream is doing at night.

It depends on what you’re after. The cream is best for targeted facial support — firmness, texture, tone, and recovery after procedures. The injectable works systemically to achieve broader goals such as hair growth, wound healing, and whole-body regeneration. Some patients use one, some use both together. The cream is applied once a day; the injectable is given 5 days a week on a 3-month-on, 1-month-off cycle and requires a daily zinc supplement. Your provider will help you pick the right approach based on your goals and monitor how your skin responds over time.

Most patients have none beyond mild tingling, slight redness, or a little dryness in the first week, and that usually settles as your skin adjusts. Less common reactions include contact dermatitis (a rash or itching that doesn’t resolve), persistent redness, or a localized copper reaction. If you notice any of those, pause and call your provider.

This product may not be suitable for everyone. Please skip it or consult your healthcare provider first if you:

• Have a copper metabolism disorder (such as Wilson’s disease or copper toxicity) or severe liver disease that affects copper processing.
• Have active skin cancer or a suspicious lesion in the area where you would apply the cream.
• Know that you are sensitive to peptide ingredients or copper.
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding (as safety has not been established).
• Have an active flare-up of eczema, a wound with broken skin, or an active infection in the area of application.
• Your healthcare provider will review your complete medical history before prescribing. This is the purpose of the consultation.

We don’t prescribe GHK-Cu cream during pregnancy or breastfeeding — safety in those windows hasn’t been studied. If you’re using it and find out you’re pregnant, stop applying and let your provider know.

Keep it at room temperature, away from sunlight and heat. No need to refrigerate. The pump bottle keeps air out — just cap it after each use.

Stop using it and call us. Most reactions calm down within a few days of pausing. Your provider can help you figure out whether to try it again at a lower frequency, pair it with something soothing, or switch approaches entirely — no pressure to stick with something that isn’t working for you.

Longevity clinic locations

* Peptide therapy is currently available at our Encinitas and Mission Valley clinics, with more locations coming soon.

285 N El Camino Real #211, Encinitas, CA 92024

970 Eastlake Pkwy Suite 101, Chula Vista, CA 91914

5965 Village Way e207, San Diego, CA 92130

1425 Frazee Rd San Diego CA 92108

7525 Metropolitan Dr Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92108

781 Pleasant Grove Blvd #100, Roseville, CA 95678

1661 Mt Diablo Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

300 W McKinley Ave F110, Sunnyvale, CA 94086

24022 Aliso Creek Rd, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Telehealth Appointment

Patient testimonials

“I’ve lost 31 pounds, and my sleep is fantastic!”

Wayne’s Story

Love the staff and all the amazing encouragement and most definitely the results of the weight loss medication!

Kim W.

The Doctors here are very knowledgeable and friendly. I have been comming here for 5 months and have had such amazing weight loss! I highly recommend I Thrive MD.

Alicia M.

They are very good at explaining & guiding me in the direction I should go with procedures without “selling”, which I super appreciate.

Jennifer M.

I had my first visit at IThrive Encinitas and I am happy I did! The facility was well maintained, clean and bright and as soon as I arrived I was greeted by 2 very polite and professional Receptionists.

Sheena H.

The Dr was very thorough and patiently answered all my questions. My first visit was awesome!

Marina C.

I couldn’t be more thankful for iThriveMD! Since I started my journey mid October I’ve lost 25 pounds and feel like a new person! I have way more energy and don’t feel uncomfortable in my own skin anymore.

Angelica H.

Their new wellness center in Mission Valley is awesome! So calming and comfortable from the moment you walk in.

Holly G.

I have been coming to iThriveMD ever since they opened up and I am obsessed! This is like my new wellness place that I enjoy coming to when I am feeling down and need to be lifted up!

Ari P.

I’ve been on it for 3 months and lost35 pounds. Fortunately I had no negative side effects. I feel great. Everyone here was very polite and very welcoming.

Dr. Charles

Great location! Exceptional staff! I truly feel taken care of here! 10/10 recommend.

Gloria H.