Ingredient or product comparison
Signs GHK-Cu Cosmetic Gone Bad Degraded: Product Type Comparison
Anhydrous Oil-Based Serum 6–9 months Copper oxidation without water-mediated hydrolysis. Slower but still occurs via dissolved oxygen Yellow to brown discoloration, no precipitation 12–18 months Water-Based Serum (Preserved) 2–4 months Peptide bond hydrolysis
This source-based comparison does not add ratings or recommend a winner.
- Anhydrous Oil-Based Serum
- 6–9 months
- Copper oxidation without water-mediated hydrolysis. Slower but still occurs via dissolved oxygen
- Yellow to brown discoloration, no precipitation
- 12–18 months
- Water-Based Serum (Preserved)
- 2–4 months
- Peptide bond hydrolysis accelerated by water activity, pH drift, microbial enzyme activity
- Cloudiness, pH drop, separation, odor
- Cream Emulsion
- 3–5 months
- Emulsifier breakdown, microbial contamination, oxidation at oil-water interface
- Layer separation, texture change, rancid smell
- 8–12 months
- Lyophilized Powder (Unreconstituted)
- 24+ months
- Minimal. No water means no hydrolysis; oxidation only via trace moisture
- No visual change unless exposed to humidity (clumping)
- 36+ months
- Lyophilized Powder (Reconstituted)
- 21–28 days
- Rapid hydrolysis once water is added; no long-term preservative system in most formulations
- Cloudiness, pH shift, precipitation after 4 weeks
- 28–35 days (refrigeration mandatory)