Pair page
GHK-Cu with Rigin
Mechanism-tag overlap and published literature for GHK-Cu and Rigin, pulled verbatim from each Kalios compound profile. Kalios is a literature reference, not a recommendation.
Mechanism overlap
Mechanism tags are verbatim labels on each compound's profile. Generic tags ("peptide", "small-molecule", "research-chemical") are excluded from this overlap view. Tags are descriptive — not an inference about combined effect.
connective-tissuecopper-tripeptide-skin
cosmetic-immune-modulating-tetrapeptide
Co-administration notes from the literature
Verbatim summary text pulled from each compound's profile data. Researchers studying GHK-Cu and Rigin have published these mechanism-level observations. Not a co-administration recommendation.
GHK-Cu complements Rigin through independent signal-peptide remodeling activity (collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycan upregulation) and copper-enzyme cofactor biology. The two peptides are mechanistically parallel rather than overlapping. Practical formulation note: GHK-Cu may produce blue-green color that complicates finished-product aesthetics.
Quick facts
GHK-Cu
Rigin
Literature table
Classified references from each compound profile. Click a column header to sort. Click a PMID to open PubMed. Findings are quoted verbatim from each profile's literature_summary; nothing here is added or interpreted.
| Year | Compound | Source | Finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | GHK-Cu | Buffoni F, Pino R, Dal Pozzo A. Effect of tripeptide-copper complexes on the process of healing of cutaneous wounds in mice. Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther. 1995;330(3):345-360. PMID: 9060874. PMID 9060874 | preclinical, in vivo |
| 1993 | GHK-Cu | Maquart FX, Bellon G, Chaqour B, Wegrowski J, Patt LM, Trachy RE, et al. In vivo stimulation of connective tissue accumulation by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu²⁺ in rat experimental wounds. J Clin Invest. 1993;92(5):2368-2376. PMID: 8227353. PMID 8227353 | preclinical, in vivo |
| 2011 | GHK-Cu | Hostynek JJ, Dreher F, Maibach HI. Human skin penetration of a copper tripeptide in vitro as a function of skin layer. Inflamm Res. 2011;60(1):79-86. PMID: 20835751. PMID 20835751 | preclinical, in vitro |
| 2007 | GHK-Cu | Pyo HK, Yoo HG, Won CH, Lee SH, Kang YJ, Eun HC, Cho KH, Kim KH. The effect of tripeptide-copper complex on human hair growth in vitro. Arch Pharm Res. 2007;30(7):834-839. PMID: 17702486. PMID 17702486 | preclinical, in vitro |
| 1988 | GHK-Cu | Maquart FX, Pickart L, Laurent M, Gillery P, Monboisse JC, Borel JP. Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu²⁺. FEBS Lett. 1988;238(2):343-346. PMID: 3169264. PMID 3169264 | preclinical, in vitro |
| 2017 | GHK-Cu | Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. The Effect of the Human Peptide GHK on Gene Expression Relevant to Nervous System Function and Cognitive Decline. Brain Sci. 2017;7(2):20. PMID: 28212278. PMID 28212278 | mechanism / discovery |
| 2012 | GHK-Cu | Campbell JD, McDonough JE, Zeskind JE, Hackett TL, Pechkovsky DV, Brandsma CA, et al. A gene expression signature of emphysema-related lung destruction and its reversal by the tripeptide GHK. Genome Med. 2012;4(8):67. PMID: 22937864. PMID 22937864 | mechanism / discovery |
| 1973 | GHK-Cu | Pickart L, Thaler MM. Tripeptide in human serum which prolongs survival of normal liver cells and stimulates growth in neoplastic liver. Nat New Biol. 1973;243(124):85-87. PMID: 4351857. (Original discovery publication.) PMID 4351857 | mechanism / discovery |
| 2026 | GHK-Cu | WADA Prohibited List 2026. World Anti-Doping Agency. wada-ama.org. | regulatory / registry |
| 2025 | GHK-Cu | FDA. Bulk Drug Substances That Raise Significant Safety Risks (Category 2) Under Section 503A / 503B. FDA.gov. Updated 2025-2026. | regulatory / registry |
| 2018 | GHK-Cu | Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(7):1987. PMID: 29986520. doi:10.3390/ijms19071987. (Comprehensive modern review.) PMID 29986520 | research article |
| 2015 | GHK-Cu | Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:648108. PMID: 26236730. PMID 26236730 | research article |
| 2002 | Rigin | Blanes-Mira C, Clemente J, Jodas G, Gil A, Fernández-Ballester G, Ponsati B, Gutierrez L, Pérez-Payá E, Ferrer-Montiel A. A synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) with antiwrinkle activity. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2002;24(5):303-310. PMID: 18498523. (Foundational cosmetic peptide characte… PMID 18498523 | mechanism / discovery |
| 2021 | Rigin | Ferreira MSM, Sousa Lobo JM, Almeida IF. Usage of Synthetic Peptides in Cosmetics for Sensitive Skin. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2021;14(8):702. PMID: 34358128. (Review of cosmetic peptide use in sensitive-skin formulations, with mechanistic discussion of palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7'… PMID 34358128 | review |
| 2020 | Rigin | Ferreira MS, Magalhães MC, Sousa Lobo JM, Almeida IF. Trending Anti-Aging Peptides. Cosmetics. 2020;7(4):91. doi:10.3390/cosmetics7040091. (Review of the current cosmetic peptide landscape with detailed discussion of palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 mechanism claims.) | review |
| 2012 | Rigin | Reddy BY, Jow T, Hantash BM. Bioactive oligopeptides in dermatology: Part I. Exp Dermatol. 2012;21(8):563-568. PMID: 22672785. (Review of bioactive oligopeptides in dermatology including cosmetic palmitoyl-conjugate peptides.) PMID 22672785 | review |
| 2009 | Rigin | Zhang L, Falla TJ. Cosmeceuticals and peptides. Clin Dermatol. 2009;27(5):485-494. PMID: 19695480. (Cosmeceutical peptide review discussing palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 positioning within the signal / neurotransmitter / carrier peptide framework.) PMID 19695480 | review |
| 2006 | Rigin | Maggio M, Guralnik JM, Longo DL, Ferrucci L. Interleukin-6 in aging and chronic disease: a magnificent pathway. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2006;61(6):575-584. PMID: 16799139. (Foundational review of IL-6 in aging — the biological plausibility case for Rigin's anti-inflammagi… PMID 16799139 | review |
| 2005 | Rigin | Lupo MP. Cosmeceutical peptides. Dermatol Surg. 2005;31(7 Pt 2):832-836; discussion 836. PMID: 16029675. (Widely cited academic review of the cosmeceutical peptide class including signal peptides, neurotransmitter-acting peptides, and carrier peptides.) PMID 16029675 | review |
| 1987 | Rigin | Rocchi R, Biondi L, Filira F, Gobbo M, Dagan S, Fridkin M. Synthesis and biological activity of tuftsin and rigin derivatives containing monosaccharides or monosaccharide derivatives. Int J Pept Protein Res. 1987;29(2):250-261. PMID: 3570655. (Classic synthesis and biological ch… PMID 3570655 | industry documentation |
| 2020 | Rigin | Errante F, Ledwoń P, Latajka R, Rovero P, Papini AM. Cosmeceutical Peptides in the Framework of Sustainable Wellness Economy. Front Chem. 2020;8:572923. PMID: 33195067. (Cosmetic peptide overview referencing palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 within the broader framework of synthetic cosm… PMID 33195067 | research article |
| 2018 | Rigin | Franceschi C, Garagnani P, Parini P, Giuliani C, Santoro A. Inflammaging: a new immune-metabolic viewpoint for age-related diseases. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2018;14(10):576-590. PMID: 30046148. (Inflammaging framework citation — the broader biological context for cosmetic anti-infla… PMID 30046148 | research article |
| 2015 | Rigin | Hoppel M, Reznicek G, Kählig H, Kotisch H, Resch GP, Valenta C. Topical delivery of acetyl hexapeptide-8 from different emulsions: Influence of emulsion composition and internal structure. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2015;68:27-35. PMID: 25433250. (Methodologically adjacent cosmetic peptid… PMID 25433250 | research article |
| 2009 | Rigin | Gorouhi F, Maibach HI. Role of topical peptides in preventing or treating aged skin. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2009;31(5):327-345. PMID: 19570043. (Cosmetic peptide topical-delivery review — stratum corneum penetration, palmitoyl conjugate strategy, and mechanism-by-mechanism evidence i… PMID 19570043 | research article |
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More research context
Frequently asked
Have GHK-Cu and Rigin been studied together?
Researchers have published mechanistic-level co-administration discussion of GHK-Cu and Rigin. No human co-administration trials are catalogued in the Kalios profiles. The pair page lists each compound's classified literature; full citations sit on each individual profile.
What mechanisms do GHK-Cu and Rigin share?
GHK-Cu and Rigin do not share a specific mechanism tag on their Kalios profiles. They appear on the same pair page because at least one profile lists the other in its co-administration data.
What is the FDA status of GHK-Cu and Rigin?
GHK-Cu: Cosmetic ingredient; Category 2 for injection. Rigin: Cosmetic ingredient. FDA-status text is pulled verbatim from each compound profile. See /fda-pcac-2026.html for the broader FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee context.
Where can I find the full research on GHK-Cu and Rigin?
Full citation lists, dosing tables from the literature, reconstitution data, and the FDA / WADA status are on the individual compound profiles: the GHK-Cu profile and the Rigin profile. The Kalios Stack Research Tool hub lists every compound covered.
Last updated: April 2026