GHK-Cu · research summary

Augmented Skin Beneficial Effects of Thermus Thermophilus and Bacillus Subtilis Mixed-Culture Ferment Extract by Tripeptide GHK-Cu.

Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI) · 2026. Summary drawn from the study's full text. Each statement is followed by the exact sentence it comes from. This is a research summary, not medical advice.

Study type

Multi-level study including in vitro cell assays, ex vivo human skin explant tests, and a clinical trial.
“The present study aims to explore the skin protective effects of a novel extract of ferment in combination with copper tripeptide‐1 GHK‐Cu from an anti‐inflammation perspective.”

Subjects

Mouse macrophage cells (Raw264.7), isolated human skin explants, and 32 healthy Asian adults with sensitive skin.
“The study enrolled 32 healthy Asian adults (31 females and 1 male) with sensitive skin aged 30 to 57 years (mean age 46.8 ± 8.2).”

Sample size

32 subjects enrolled in the clinical trial, with 30 subjects completing the study.
“Two subjects dropped out during the study.”

Duration

56 days for the clinical trial, with assessments at baseline, day 14, day 28, and day 56.
“All the subjects received the cream and were instructed to apply it twice daily in the morning and evening after facial cleansing for 56 consecutive days.”

Reported findings

The combination of TBFE and GHK-Cu inhibited the secretion of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, PGE2, NO) in LPS-stimulated macrophages more effectively than either ingredient alone.
“The combination outperformed TBFE or GHK‐Cu alone in inhibiting secretion of inflammatory cytokines by lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated macrophages.”
In human skin explants, the combination protected against UV-induced damage by maintaining skin morphology and increasing collagen fiber density and collagen IV content.
“one face cream formulated with the combination as the sole active ingredients protected human skin explants from ultraviolet irradiation induced damage by maintaining skin morphology and decreasing the degradation of extracellular matrix.”
In the clinical trial, the cream significantly reduced forehead lines, cheek wrinkles, and facial pores, and improved skin barrier function, hydration, and elasticity.
“results from the clinical study demonstrated that the combination was effective in decreasing wrinkles and improving skin barrier conditions.”

Limitations stated by the authors

The study was conducted by a third-party organization but the authors declare no conflicts of interest; however, the clinical trial had a small sample size with a high female-to-male ratio and two dropouts.
“The study enrolled 32 healthy Asian adults (31 females and 1 male) with sensitive skin aged 30 to 57 years (mean age 46.8 ± 8.2).”

Source: PubMed 42573538 · DOI 10.1111/srt.70360 · all study summaries

Augmented Skin Beneficial Effects of Thermus Thermophilus and Bacillus Subtilis Mixed-Culture Ferment Extract by Tripeptide GHK-Cu.

Reported findings

The combination of TBFE and GHK-Cu inhibited the secretion of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, PGE2, NO) in LPS-stimulated macrophages more effectively than either ingredient alone.

“The combination outperformed TBFE or GHK‐Cu alone in inhibiting secretion of inflammatory cytokines by lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated macrophages.”

In human skin explants, the combination protected against UV-induced damage by maintaining skin morphology and increasing collagen fiber density and collagen IV content.

“one face cream formulated with the combination as the sole active ingredients protected human skin explants from ultraviolet irradiation induced damage by maintaining skin morphology and decreasing the degradation of extracellular matrix.”

In the clinical trial, the cream significantly reduced forehead lines, cheek wrinkles, and facial pores, and improved skin barrier function, hydration, and elasticity.

“results from the clinical study demonstrated that the combination was effective in decreasing wrinkles and improving skin barrier conditions.”

Limitations stated by the authors

The study was conducted by a third-party organization but the authors declare no conflicts of interest; however, the clinical trial had a small sample size with a high female-to-male ratio and two dropouts.

“The study enrolled 32 healthy Asian adults (31 females and 1 male) with sensitive skin aged 30 to 57 years (mean age 46.8 ± 8.2).”