In vitro and chemical studies provide definitive evidence that GHK-Cu prevents skin aging through its antioxidant properties:
GHK-Cu blocks the formation and accumulation of reactive carbonyl species and neutralizes toxic products of lipid peroxidation. GHK-Cu has also been found to protect keratinocytes from UVB damage.
An in vitro study showed that GHK blocks oxidation of lipoproteins, hence preventing oxidative stress which is a major cause of skin aging.
GHK also effectively inhibits the generation of acrolein, a well-known toxin that contributes to aging.
Another in vitro study reported that GHK prevents ultraviolet radiation damage to skin keratinocytes by inactivating reactive carbonyl species and toxins, including acrolein, malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxynoneal, and glyoxal.
GHK-Cu was also shown to significantly reduce iron release from ferritin by 87%. This is an important finding because free iron is a potent agent of lipid peroxidation and an inducer of the conversion of superoxide anion to hydroxyl radical, which is a key component of oxidative stress and aging.