The copper peptide trend has gone from creams to injections — ahead of the science
The popularity of copper peptide injections for anti-aging is rising on social media despite a lack of clinical data on safety and efficacy. Experts warn against the risks of self-administering these substances, which are often sourced from unregulated online markets.
Why it matters
The trend highlights the dangers of the 'grey market' for wellness products and the gap between social media health trends and scientific validation.
Hanna Barczyk for NPR Copper peptides have become the darling of social media skin care hacks. People are smearing the electric-blue tincture on their face or drawing the concoction up in syringes.
Health What would it take to get peptides on the shelf? The compound, known as GHK-Copper, or simply GHK-Cu, has gained a massive following because of claims it can deliver firm and wrinkle-free skin, better hair and other anti-aging benefits.
The interest, in part, reflects the broader peptide-craze that has increasingly entered the mainstream wellness and longevity space.
As with many of these trendy peptides, GHK-Cu isn't an approved drug, but it does have considerable scientific research behind it. Topical copper peptide serums and creams have been on the market for decades and studied in human trials .
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