A high-purity copper-binding tripeptide for advanced scalp, hair-care and cosmetic peptide formulation.
AHK-Cu is the copper(II) complex of the Ala-His-Lys tripeptide. Unlike the better-known GHK-Cu, AHK-Cu has a different first amino acid, with its most directly relevant study focused on human hair follicles ex vivo and dermal papilla cells in vitro. [R1–R2] This 99% blue powder is intended for measured R&D and controlled cosmetic formulation.
- 99% blue peptide powder for precise bench and pilot formulation.
- Directly studied in human hair-follicle ex-vivo and dermal-papilla-cell models. [R1–R2]
- Useful for premium scalp-serum, hair-tonic and copper-peptide development concepts.
Product Specifications / Key Facts
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Property |
Product Information |
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Product name |
AHK-Cu |
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Commercial form |
Blue powder |
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Purity / assay |
99% |
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Active identity |
L-alanyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper(II) complex |
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Peptide sequence |
Ala-His-Lys, complexed with Cu2+ |
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Common cosmetic-market name |
Copper Tripeptide-3 |
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Ingredient family |
Copper-binding tripeptide / metallopeptide |
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Primary development fit |
Scalp care, hair-care and advanced cosmetic peptide formulations |
Key Benefits
Supports scalp and hair-care innovation — AHK-Cu is useful when a formulation brief calls for a copper peptide with research directly connected to follicle and dermal-papilla biology.
Relevant to fuller-, healthier-looking hair concepts — In a 2007 laboratory study, AHK-Cu stimulated elongation of isolated human hair follicles ex vivo and increased proliferation of cultured dermal papilla cells. [R1–R2]
High-purity format for controlled development — The 99% powder format lets formulators prepare measured stock solutions, run compatibility work and evaluate the ingredient across multiple prototype concentrations without being locked into a pre-diluted carrier.
Why Formulators Choose AHK-Cu
AHK-Cu is a focused choice for formulators who want a copper peptide specifically associated with hair-follicle research rather than simply another version of GHK-Cu. The published evidence is directly relevant: Pyo and colleagues evaluated AHK-Cu in isolated human hair follicles and cultured dermal papilla cells, reporting increased follicle elongation and cell proliferation across picomolar-to-nanomolar laboratory exposures. [R1–R2] Those laboratory concentrations are not a finished-cosmetic dosage recommendation, but the study gives AHK-Cu a clear research identity for scalp and hair-care development.
Typical Applications
- Leave-on scalp serums and tonics
- Hair-density / fuller-looking-hair cosmetic concepts
- Premium copper-peptide scalp treatments
- Multi-peptide hair and scalp formulas
- Advanced facial or skin-care R&D
Why Source From Us
- Start with samples scale to bulk orders – one supplier from trial to production: Validate with lab samples, then scale to commercial volumes – same quality, same team. No re-qualification, no project delays.
- Formulation support that actually helps – not just a data sheet: We give you hands-on guidance on solubility, temperature, pH, and compatibility. A real formulation partner, not a catalog.
- Reliable supply chain – consistent quality, on-time delivery, batch after batch: Own manufacturing facilities plus long-term partnerships with audited upstream producers ensure batch-to-batch consistency. Full documentation with every shipment. No "sample passes, bulk fails"
- Export-ready documentation – compliance, customs, cleared：Complete technical documentation packages – COA, MSDS, TDS, stability data – batch-specific and regulatory-ready. We handle the paperwork so your compliance and procurement teams can focus on formulation
Recommended Ingredient Pairings
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Recommended Ingredient |
Why It Pairs Well |
Product Concept |
Compatibility Note |
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Adds conditioning and scalp-comfort value without duplicating the copper-peptide story. |
Scalp serum / tonic |
Validate complete-formula pH and peptide stability. |
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Supports barrier and scalp-conditioning positioning in a broader hair-care routine. |
Daily scalp-care serum |
Direct co-formulation should be validated for pH and long-term color / assay stability. |
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Caffeine |
Creates a familiar cosmetic scalp-care concept alongside a premium peptide active. |
Scalp tonic / leave-on serum |
Confirm solubility, pH and total system stability; do not imply therapeutic hair-loss treatment. |
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Adds hydration and slip to leave-on scalp or skin formulations. |
Hydrating peptide serum |
Choose molecular-weight grade and rheology compatible with the final ionic environment. |
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Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 |
Adds a second peptide route for premium multi-peptide hair-care development. |
Multi-peptide scalp serum |
Validate each peptide and the full system; do not assume automatic synergy. |
Research & References
[R2] Springer Nature record for the same study.
[R3] Cellworks — AHK-Cu: the other copper tripeptide; 2026 identity and evidence-gap review.
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