DIY a GHK-Cu copper peptide serum

What you need

• GHK-Cu copper peptide powder (cosmetic grade)

• Distilled water (NOT tap)

• Optional: hyaluronic acid serum (as your base)

• Preservative (like phenoxyethanol if you want it to last >7 days)

• pH strips (important)

• Sterile glass dropper bottle

• Gloves + alcohol wipes

Target concentration (important)

Keep it low.

• 0.05% – beginner / sensitive skin

• 0.1% – standard

• 0.2% – strong (don’t start here)

Example (easy batch):

• 30ml serum at 0.1%
  → You need 30mg GHK-Cu

How to make it

1. Sanitize everything

   • Bottle, tools, surface

   • Use alcohol wipes

   • Don’t skip this (bacteria = breakouts)

2. Dissolve peptide

   • Add your GHK-Cu powder into a small amount of distilled water

   • Stir gently until fully dissolved

   • No heat

3. Add base

   • Mix into:

     • plain distilled water OR

     • your hyaluronic acid serum (better texture + hydration)

4. Check pH

   • Ideal: pH 5–7

   • Too acidic → peptide breaks down

   • Too high → skin irritation

5. Bottle it

   • Store in dark glass bottle

   • Keep in fridge

Shelf life

• No preservative → 5–7 days max (fridge)

• With preservative → 3–4 weeks

If it changes color or smells → throw it out

How to use

• Night time

• After toner, before moisturizer

• 2–3x per week to start

What NOT to mix with

Copper peptides don’t play nice with everything.

Avoid same routine:

• Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)

• Low pH acids (AHA/BHA)

• Strong tretinoin nights (can irritate)

What it actually does

GHK-Cu copper peptide helps:

• Skin repair

• Collagen production

• Redness + inflammation

• Wound healing

But results depend on consistency, not high strength.