GHK (Basic) vs Leuphasyl
A side-by-side research comparison of GHK (Basic) and Leuphasyl across mechanism, dosing, half-life, benefits, side effects and research status.
Comparison table
| Attribute | GHK (Basic) | Leuphasyl |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | GHK (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine, Copper-Free) | Leuphasyl (Pentapeptide-18) |
| Category | Skin & Anti-Aging | Skin & Anti-Aging |
| Status | Cosmetic research peptide | Research compound |
| Mechanism | GHK is a matrikine signal peptide that resets gene expression toward tissue repair, stimulating collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis and modulating antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways. It readily binds copper to become GHK-Cu in situ. | Binds enkephalin receptors on neuronal membranes, reducing calcium influx and neurotransmitter release at the presynaptic level. Works upstream of argireline. |
| Molecular weight | 340.4 Da | 599.7 Da |
| Half-life | Short (peptide) | 6-10 hours (topical) |
| Bioavailability | Topical (local); injectable (research) | Moderate (topical) |
| Typical dose | Topical serum (~1-3 mg/mL) | 3-5% solution |
| Frequency | 1-2x daily | 2x daily |
| Route | Topical | Topical |
GHK (Basic) reported benefits
- Skin remodeling and repair signaling
- Stimulates collagen and elastin
- Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
- Supports wound healing
- Improves skin firmness
Leuphasyl reported benefits
- Complements argireline action
- Reduces muscle tension
- Smooths expression lines
- Gentle mechanism
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Research and educational reference only. Not medical advice.