GHK-Cu is a molecule containing the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine and Cu (2+) ion. Through evaluative experiments, the GHK-Cu molecule has shown the ability to reverse skin aging signs through the following mechanisms: (1) Antioxidant; (2) DNA repair & stem cell regeneration, skin structure restoration; (3) Anti-inflammatory, promoting wound healing, opening up new avenues in skin rejuvenation.

1. GHK-Cu Molecular Structure

The GHK-Cu molecule is formed from the GHK peptide group (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) and the Cu 2+ ion. The age-related decline in GHK concentration in human plasma (from approximately 200 ng/mL at age 20 to 80 ng/mL at age 60) has suggested the role of this factor in the decline of cellular function or regenerative capacity during aging.

In 1973, Pickart isolated the GHK-Cu Peptide from albumin in human plasma and conducted experiments to determine its effect on aged human liver tissue. The results showed that GHK-Cu was able to rejuvenate the protein synthesis activity of liver tissue in the elderly. This experimental result laid the first foundation for applying GHK's effects in the anti-aging revolution.

In this complex, the Cu2+ ion binds to the nitrogen of histidine and another nitrogen of glycine, while the nitrogen of the amide functional group is reduced to form a glycine-histidine peptide bond. Thanks to this bond, the peptide structure is more stable against hydrolysis and structural degradation from the environment, as well as neutralizing the oxidative properties of the copper radical.

2. GHK-Cu and its effects on the skin

The identified effects of GHK-Cu include:

• Tightens skin and reverses thinning skin in old age
• Repairs skin barrier proteins
• Improves skin firmness, elasticity, and plumpness
• Reduces wrinkles, wrinkle depth, and improves the structure of aging skin
• Reduces sun damage, UV-induced hyperpigmentation spots
• Improves overall skin appearance
• Stimulates wound healing
• Protects skin cells from UV rays
• Reduces inflammation and free radical damage
• Additionally, it promotes hair growth and thickness, and increases hair follicle size

Several clinical studies have been conducted to confirm the effects of GHK-Cu on the skin, and the reported results consistently show that this will be a promising direction in the fight against skin aging. In a 12-week trial on 67 women aged 50-59 with signs of photoaging, the results showed a significant improvement in the density of hyperpigmentation spots and wrinkles on the skin, and histological analyses of biopsies revealed an increase in epidermal cell proliferation. Below are the main mechanisms through which GHK-Cu exerts its effects on the skin:

2.1. DNA Repair, Stem Cell Regeneration & Skin Structure Restoration

GHK has the ability to act on growth-regulating genes and DNA repair genes. Specifically, GHK significantly increases the expression of 47 genes and inhibits the activity of 5 genes involved in cellular repair.

Additionally, skin regeneration depends on the proliferative activity of stem cells, and this ability gradually declines with age. GHK-Cu at a concentration of 0.1-10 micromol enhances the expression of stem cell-directed signals, promoting cell differentiation from stem cells.

According to research by Borel and Maquart, GHK-Cu at concentrations of 1-10 nanomoles stimulates collagen synthesis in fibroblasts and glycosaminoglycans—important components in the skin's extracellular matrix, maintaining the firmness of this cell "anchoring frame." At the same time, GHK-Cu also increases the inhibitors of collagen-degrading metalloproteinase enzymes.

2.2 Anti-inflammatory effect & Promotes wound healing

Pickart and colleagues conducted experiments and determined that GHK-Cu has the ability to accelerate wound healing and contraction, improve the absorption capacity of transplanted skin, and also has anti-inflammatory effects.

Experimental results show that GHK-Cu can reduce inflammatory cell infiltration and the expression of inflammatory factors such as TNF-alpha and IL-6, thereby reducing the intensity of the inflammatory response.

In addition, GHK-Cu also speeds up wound healing by stimulating the production of collagen, dermatan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and small proteoglycans, improving blood circulation and promoting epithelial formation, encouraging normal wound healing, and avoiding scar formation disorders.

Furthermore, in both the laboratories of Monique Sensenbrenner (France) and Gertrude Lindler (Germany), it was discovered that GHK-Cu stimulates nerve growth, an essential attribute of skin recovery. GHK-Cu helps restore skin innervation by increasing the production of neurotrophic factors, preventing the loss of sensation in injured areas.

2.3. Antioxidant properties

Oxidative agents as well as oxidative reactions are the leading causes of damage and manifestations of aging signs on the skin. In contrast, GHK-Cu has the ability to slow down the skin aging process by neutralizing free radicals, inhibiting 87% of iron release from ferritin, preventing lipid oxidation catalyzed by this factor, and simultaneously enhancing the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes. In addition, GHK is also involved in genes that regulate the body's antioxidant activity.

3. GHK-Cu absorption through the skin

With its small size (approximately 700 Da), GHK-Cu can easily pass through the stratum corneum of the skin, and only the copper complex of this peptide has that ability. It is crucial to ensure the necessary concentration of GHK-Cu to perform the aforementioned biological functions.

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Flawless Abyss Serum is an anti-aging essence that maintains youthful radiance with a formula containing valuable active ingredients, prominently featuring 1.2% GHK-Cu - a concentration that allows for optimal utilization of the active ingredient's benefits, simultaneously delivering 4 outstanding effects:

• Boosts cell regeneration;
• Effectively reduces acne, improves skin texture, and smooths;
• Soothes sensitive skin, anti-inflammatory, reduces irritation, and redness;
• Controls oil secretion, restores skin balance.

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However, for an organ that faces numerous environmental damage risks and operates under the influence of many factors like skin, maintaining its optimal functional state requires the supplementation and provision of other essential nutrients, in addition to GHK-Cu.

3.1 oh!oh! Flawless Abyss Serum & oh!oh! oatmere serum

EGF is a growth factor consisting of 53 amino acids that can stimulate the proliferation of various epidermal and epithelial cells, thus the combined use of EGF & GHK-Cu is considered an ideal combination for skin after invasive procedures. Additionally, both active ingredients help stimulate cell division and DNA repair, making them particularly useful in improving and preventing signs of aging on the skin.

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3.2 oh!oh! Flawless Abyss Serum & oh!oh! HA & Proteoglycans Amber Serum

Cell repair requires the presence of essential nutrients and optimal conditions. A product that both hydrates and supplements ingredients such as Niacinamide, Arbutin, Ceramide NP, Amino Acid Complex & Peptide Complex will be the perfect "collaborator" to optimize GHK-Cu's skin structural regeneration effects.

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