Before we answer the question of what copper peptides are and why our skin may need them as we age, let's take a moment to consider why signs of aging actually appear on our skin?
Wrinkles are caused by the degradation of extracellular matrix proteins (including collagen) in our skin and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) within cells. Therefore, the most effective strategy for preventing new wrinkle formation is a two-pronged approach:
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stimulation of fibroblasts to produce new extracellular matrix proteins, including collagen, and
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neutralization of reactive oxygen species (ROS) – so-called free radicals in cells.
Ingredients with high anti-aging effectiveness
Both science and nature know many substances that effectively stimulate fibroblasts to produce collagen, such as tretonin and retinol. While these molecules have proven anti-aging properties, they carry a high risk of side effects, including irritation, allergies, weakening of the skin's protective barrier, and increased inflammation. Their use on sensitive skin or skin with dermatological problems is limited.
Therefore, peptides are a very important group of cosmetic ingredients that have similar effectiveness in stimulating collagen production in the skin without irritating it.
Peptides are widely used cosmetic ingredients. They provide immediate improvement in skin appearance by moisturizing and conditioning the surface layer, and they also exhibit diverse biological activity. Due to their small size, some of them are able to penetrate the stratum corneum of the epidermis.
Copper peptides are small peptides with a molecular weight below 700 Da, chelated with copper(II). They were first described as cellular growth factors, playing a key role in wound healing and tissue repair. As cosmetic ingredients, they can improve skin firmness, smooth wrinkles, and inhibit hyperpigmentation. These compounds participate in collagen and elastin synthesis (effectively preventing new wrinkle formation) and inhibit the activity of metalloproteinases and collagenases in the extracellular matrix (reducing protein degradation processes).
Why do peptides need copper?
Copper helps achieve its anti-aging effects through the second mechanism mentioned at the beginning: neutralizing free radicals. Copper doubles the activity of the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), which is the body's "first line of defense" and destroys reactive oxygen species, thus exerting antioxidant effects.
Copper peptides – the perfect anti-aging duo
Combining peptides with copper creates advanced complexes with exceptional anti-aging potential. Thanks to copper's natural ability to form stable bonds with peptides, we obtain an active ingredient with high efficacy and excellent skin tolerance.
The most widely recognized and studied regenerative peptide is GHK ( glycyl -l -histidyl -l -lysine ), which occurs naturally in the human body and decreases with age. Early studies have shown that GHK stimulates the synthesis of collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans in the skin, accelerates wound healing, restores the function of damaged fibroblasts, reduces scarring, and improves the regeneration of the skin, as well as the gastrointestinal mucosa. GHK stimulates hair growth and is used to improve the results of hair transplants.
GHK complexes readily with copper. This complex is capable of regulating the expression of a significant number of human genes, essentially repairing damage to our DNA and restoring the human genome to a healthy state.
The GHK-Cu complex not only exhibits multifaceted anti-aging and antioxidant effects but also possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties. In dermal fibroblasts, GHK and its copper complexes reduced IGF-2-dependent TGF-β1 secretion and TNF-alpha-dependent IL-6 secretion, thereby significantly reducing inflammation.
Copper peptides are one of the most sophisticated choices in anti-aging care today – for people who expect scientifically proven results without compromising skin comfort and safety.
Copper peptides are an ingredient of the Rich cream from the Miorelaxant Magic line.
Gruchlik A., Chodurek E., Dzierzewicz Z., Influence of selected peptides and their copper complexes on antioxidant enzyme activities in human skin fibroblasts, Post Dermatol Alergol 2010; XXVII, 1: 29–35
Pickart L., Margolina A., Skin Regenerative and Anti-Cancer Actions of Copper Peptides, Cosmetics 2018, 5(2), 29
