Tripeptide-1 (GHK) Cosmetic Grade Supplier — UPOR Biotech
Tripeptide-1 (GHK) — Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine, the collagen-derived matrikine signal peptide that declines with age. This Gly-His-Lys fragment of collagen α1(I) stimulates collagen, elastin, and GAG synthesis, drives skin repair and wound healing, and is a high-affinity copper(II) chelator — the direct precursor to the copper peptide GHK-Cu. Cosmetic grade, water-soluble powder. Bulk cosmetic peptide supplier — premium Tripeptide-1 from UPOR Biotech.
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Tripeptide-1 (CAS 72957-37-0, acetate), C₁₆H₂₈N₆O₆, MW 400.43 g/mol — also known as GHK (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine) — is a naturally occurring tripeptide matrikine, a bioactive fragment of the collagen α1(I) chain that declines progressively with age. First characterized in human plasma by Loren Pickart (1973), GHK is one of the best-studied matrikine signaling peptides: a collagen-derived sequence that, released during tissue remodeling, feeds back to stimulate collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis. Mechanistically, Tripeptide-1 promotes fibroblast activity, accelerates wound healing, and upregulates endogenous antioxidant defense. It is also a high-affinity copper(II) chelator — binding Cu²⁺ forms the copper peptide GHK-Cu, making Tripeptide-1 the direct precursor to the widely used copper peptide. The cosmetic-grade material is supplied as the acetate salt (MW 400.43 g/mol); the free base corresponds to CAS 49557-75-7 (MW 340.38 g/mol). UPOR Biotech’s Tripeptide-1 is a white to off-white, water-soluble powder with ≥98% purity by HPLC.
As a cosmetic-grade skin-repair active, Tripeptide-1 is positioned across anti-aging and skin-restructuring formulas — serums, creams, and post-procedure recovery care — and as a copper-delivery precursor for GHK-Cu formulations. For formulators, it is a clean-label, metal-free peptide that incorporates readily into the aqueous phase at a recommended usage rate of 0.01–0.1% active and pH 5.0–7.0, combining well with hyaluronic acid and humectants. UPOR Biotech is a bulk cosmetic peptide supplier, offering INCI-named (Tripeptide-1) cosmetic-grade material with full documentation and cosmetic certifications including ISO 9001, cGMP, FDA facility registration, HALAL, KOSHER, and COSMOS. Every lot ships with COA, MSDS, HPLC chromatogram, and heavy-metal and microbial testing.
Tripeptide-1 (GHK) vs Copper Peptide (GHK-Cu) — Metal-Free Matrikine vs Copper(II) Complex
The key distinction in copper-peptide chemistry is the metal content. Tripeptide-1 (GHK) is the metal-free tripeptide precursor — the Gly-His-Lys sequence alone, supplied as a cosmetic-grade powder. When GHK binds a copper(II) ion, it forms GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide), which adds copper delivery for lysyl-oxidase cross-linking and delivers stronger wound-healing and tissue-remodeling activity. GHK-Cu is technically a copper chelate complex (a distinct INCI: Copper Tripeptide-1) rather than the free tripeptide. For formulators, the choice is strategic: Tripeptide-1 offers a clean-label, metal-free matrikine with inherent copper-binding capability (it chelates copper naturally in the skin), while GHK-Cu provides pre-complexed copper for maximum remodeling and repair signal. UPOR Biotech supplies both grades for complete copper-peptide formulation flexibility.
Technical Specifications
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Tripeptide-1 (GHK) Cosmetic Grade Powder |
| INCI Name | Tripeptide-1 |
| Synonyms | GHK; Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine; Prezatide; Copper Peptide Precursor |
| CAS Number | 72957-37-0 (acetate) / 49557-75-7 (free base) |
| Molecular Formula | C₁₆H₂₈N₆O₆ (acetate) / C₁₄H₂₄N₆O₄ (free base) |
| Molecular Weight | 400.43 g/mol (acetate) / 340.38 g/mol (free base) |
| Peptide Sequence | Gly-His-Lys (GHK) |
| Peptide Class | Matrikine / collagen-derived signal peptide |
| Source / Origin | Matrikine fragment of the collagen α1(I) chain; first characterized by Loren Pickart (1973) |
| Mechanism | Stimulates collagen, elastin & GAG synthesis; high-affinity copper(II) chelation |
| Appearance | White to off-white powder |
| Purity (HPLC) | ≥98.0% |
| Heavy Metals (Total) | ≤10 ppm |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤1.0 ppm |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤1.0 ppm |
| Microbial Limits | TPC ≤100 CFU/g; E. coli, Salmonella, S. aureus negative |
| Solubility | Water-soluble; incorporate into aqueous phase |
| Recommended Usage Rate | 0.01 – 0.1% active |
| pH | 5.0 – 7.0 (aqueous solution) |
| Loss on Drying | ≤1.0% |
| Endotoxin | ≤0.5 EU/mg |
| Grade | Cosmetic Grade |
| Certifications | ISO 9001, cGMP, FDA facility registration, HALAL, KOSHER, COSMOS |
| Packaging | 10 g / 100 g / 1 kg sealed amber vials / foil pouches |
| Storage | 2–8°C or -20°C, protected from light and moisture |
| Shelf Life | 2 years (properly stored) |
| Disclaimer | For cosmetic formulation use only |
Key Benefits — Tripeptide-1 (GHK)
Stimulates Collagen, Elastin & GAG Synthesis
Tripeptide-1 is a collagen-derived signal peptide that upregulates collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis in fibroblasts — directly addressing the matrix loss that drives skin aging.
Matrix SynthesisCollagen-Derived Matrikine Signal
As a Gly-His-Lys matrikine fragment of collagen α1(I), first characterized by Loren Pickart (1973), GHK is a naturally occurring remodeling signal that declines with age — a true skin-identical active.
MatrikineCopper(II) Chelation — GHK-Cu Precursor
Tripeptide-1 is a high-affinity copper(II) chelator — the direct precursor to the copper peptide GHK-Cu. It delivers copper for lysyl-oxidase cross-linking and stronger remodeling signal.
Copper ChelatorSkin-Repair & Antioxidant Activity
Promotes fibroblast activity and wound healing while supporting endogenous antioxidant defense — a dual repair-plus-protection profile ideal for anti-aging and post-procedure care.
Repair + DefenseApplications
Anti-Aging & Skin-Restructuring Serums
GHK matrikine serums at 0.01–0.1% active to stimulate collagen, elastin, and GAG synthesis for visible firming and density.
Skin-Repair & Wound-Healing Creams
Tripeptide-1 for fibroblast activity and wound-healing support in reparative creams, balms, and barrier-repair formulations.
Copper-Peptide Precursor Formulations
GHK as the metal-free precursor to GHK-Cu — chelate copper(II) in-formula for copper-peptide remodeling and repair systems.
Post-Procedure Recovery Care
Skin-repair and antioxidant activity for post-peel, post-laser, and post-microneedling recovery products.
Firming & Elasticity Boosters
Collagen- and elastin-stimulating action for firming, lifting, and elasticity-boosting serums and lotions.
Clean-Label / COSMOS-Compliant Skincare
INCI-named Tripeptide-1 for COSMOS-compliant, metal-free, clean-label anti-aging and skin-repair formulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tripeptide-1 (GHK, Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine) is a collagen-derived matrikine peptide — a bioactive Gly-His-Lys fragment of the collagen α1(I) chain first characterized in human plasma by Loren Pickart (1973). It works as a signal peptide that stimulates collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis, promotes fibroblast activity and wound healing, and acts as a high-affinity copper(II) chelator. The cosmetic grade is supplied as the acetate salt (CAS 72957-37-0, MW 400.43 g/mol); the free base is CAS 49557-75-7 (MW 340.38 g/mol).
Tripeptide-1 (GHK) is the metal-free tripeptide precursor — the Gly-His-Lys sequence alone. GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide, INCI: Copper Tripeptide-1) is the copper(II) chelate complex formed when GHK binds Cu²⁺. The copper complex adds copper delivery for lysyl-oxidase cross-linking and delivers stronger wound-healing and tissue-remodeling activity, while Tripeptide-1 is a clean-label, metal-free matrikine with inherent copper-binding capability in the skin.
The recommended usage rate is 0.01–0.1% active in the finished cosmetic formula, incorporated into the aqueous phase. GHK is highly potent as a signaling peptide, so low concentrations are sufficient to stimulate collagen, elastin, and GAG synthesis. For GHK-Cu (copper peptide) formulations, similarly low active rates apply due to the potency of the copper complex.
Add Tripeptide-1 to the aqueous phase at pH 5.0–7.0 during cool-down (below approximately 40°C) to preserve peptide integrity. It is water-soluble and combines well with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and humectants. Avoid extreme pH and high-heat processing. Recommended usage is 0.01–0.1% active. For copper-peptide precursor formulations, complex the peptide with copper(II) in a controlled ratio before compounding.
Every shipment includes COA (HPLC ≥98.0%, heavy metals ≤10 ppm, lead ≤1 ppm, arsenic ≤1 ppm, microbial panel), MSDS, HPLC chromatogram, and heavy-metal and microbial testing. Cosmetic certifications include COSMOS, HALAL, KOSHER, ISO 9001, cGMP, and FDA facility registration. Complete lot traceability is provided from raw material through final HPLC release.