What's on the label is the measured result — net peptide mass, not gross powder weight, plus RP-HPLC purity, on a lot-numbered COA for every batch.
Net peptide mass and RP-HPLC purity — a lot-numbered COA for every batch.
Net peptide mass + HPLC purity, per lot.
PCAC will review 7 peptides for the 503A bulks list, BPC-157, KPV, TB-500, MOTS-c, Emideltide, Semax, Epitalon. Read our briefing →
PCAC will review 7 peptides for the 503A bulks list. Read →
FDA PCAC reviews 7 peptides in July. Read →
Copper peptide AHK
PeptideXpo buyer fit
This PeptideXpo page is intentionally positioned for distributors, OEM buyers, and procurement teams comparing AHK-Cu inside a wider peptide catalog. It is not trying to be the deepest single-molecule monograph; the differentiated intent is assortment planning, export-ready documentation, fill-size comparison, and whether this SKU belongs in a broader buyer program.
Overview
AHK-Cu is a copper-complexed tripeptide consisting of Ala-His-Lys (AHK) coordinated with divalent copper. It is the structural analog of the better-known GHK-Cu (Gly-His-Lys + Cu²⁺), with the N-terminal glycine replaced by alanine. The substitution shifts the molecule's affinity profile and downstream activity preference toward hair-follicle and scalp applications, AHK-Cu's primary use case in cosmetic formulation is hair-regrowth and follicular-stimulation serums rather than the broader dermal-repair indications that drive GHK-Cu use. PeptideXpo supplies AHK-Cu at ≥99.0% HPLC purity. As with the rest of the copper-peptide class, the visible blue color of the lyophilized powder is the diagnostic visual check for intact Cu(II) coordination, color loss indicates copper dissociation. The release packet includes peak-integration HPLC, mass spec, and copper-content verification by either atomic absorption or quantitative HPLC against a reference. Standard fill sizes are 20 mg and 50 mg lyophilized vials. The same formulation guardrails that apply to GHK-Cu apply here: avoid chelator-containing carrier systems, formulate at near-neutral pH, and place the copper peptide downstream of any reductive antioxidants in the finished product.
Who buys this, and why
Cosmetic-peptide buyers fall into two groups: established beauty / med-aesthetic brands extending an existing line, and OEM clients building a private-label catalog from scratch. The first group usually wants bulk active plus stability data in their existing carrier matrix; the second usually wants a finished formulation under their label. Both need INCI naming verified, regulator-specific safety files (CPNP for EU, FDA OTC monograph for US where relevant), and packaging-compatibility data.
Primary buyer fit: medical aesthetic clinics and med spas.
Specifications
Documentation available on request
Regulatory note
Sold as a cosmetic ingredient for use in finished products where the receiving formulator's regulatory framework permits. Finished-product safety, INCI compliance, claims substantiation, and notification (CPNP, FDA, etc.) remain the responsibility of the brand owner. SDS and INCI documentation supplied with each shipment.
Frequently asked questions
Both are copper-tripeptide complexes with similar overall structure, but AHK-Cu (Ala-His-Lys) is preferentially used in hair-follicle and scalp finished products, while GHK-Cu (Gly-His-Lys) is preferentially used in dermal-repair and anti-aging finished products. The application-area split tracks differences in receptor-affinity and tissue-distribution data rather than fundamentally different mechanisms, both work through copper-dependent signaling in skin and follicular tissue. Brands developing combined scalp-plus-skin formulations sometimes incorporate both peptides; the two are mutually compatible in the same carrier system.
Published cosmetic formulations typically incorporate AHK-Cu at 0.1-1.0% finished-product mass for scalp serums, which is lower than typical GHK-Cu use levels in dermal-repair products because the scalp-tissue distribution kinetics are different. The peptide is most stable at slightly acidic pH (5.0-6.5) with chelator-free water, the same formulation guardrails as GHK-Cu. Brands developing finished hair serums should request copper-content verification on each batch and consider in-house dye-binding assays to confirm intact complex through their shelf-life testing.
Combining AHK-Cu with minoxidil in a finished topical product is mechanistically reasonable, minoxidil drives follicular vasodilation and prolonged anagen phase; AHK-Cu contributes copper-peptide-mediated signaling that targets different aspects of follicular biology. The formulation challenges are practical: minoxidil's typical formulation vehicle (propylene glycol + ethanol) can be aggressive on the AHK-Cu complex, and the topical pH (usually slightly acidic for minoxidil stability) is at the lower end of the AHK-Cu working range. Brands developing combination products should plan stability-compatibility testing in the finished carrier before scaling production. For the broader cosmetic-OEM workflow considerations, see our [GHK-Cu formulation guide](/insights/ghk-cu-cosmetic-formulation-guide), the same principles apply to AHK-Cu.
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