How to make a GHK‑Cu serum at home
A copper peptide serum in four steps and ten minutes, with kitchen measures. One gram makes about 27 one-ounce bottles.
Why make it yourself
A finished copper peptide serum sells for $40 to $70 an ounce, yet GHK‑Cu makes up only about 0.1% of the bottle. The rest is water, a humectant and a preservative. With one gram of GHK‑Cu and a base you already like, you can make about 27 one-ounce bottles of serum, at roughly 92¢ of peptide per bottle.
What you need
- GHK‑Cu powder, 1 g.
- Distilled water, 20 mL (4 tsp).
- A base: an unscented hyaluronic acid serum, aloe gel or light lotion with a pH between 5 and 7. Skip bases that contain vitamin C (ascorbic acid), EDTA, or glycolic or lactic acid.
- Measuring spoons down to ⅛ teaspoon, a small glass jar and a 1 oz (30 mL) glass dropper bottle.
- A glass or plastic stirrer. Metal can react with copper peptides.
Step 1: make the stock solution
Add 1 g of GHK‑Cu to 20 mL (4 tsp) of distilled water in the jar and stir until it is clear and deep blue. That is a 5% stock solution. Close the jar, write the date on it and keep it in the fridge. It keeps for 30 days.
Step 2: add the stock to your base
Fill the dropper bottle with 30 g (1 oz) of your base. Add ⅛ teaspoon of stock, close the bottle and turn it gently until the color is even. That gives about 0.1% GHK‑Cu, the standard use level. Always add the peptide last, to a base below 104°F (40°C).
Step 3: choose your strength
| Per 100 g | Stock | Per 1 oz | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¼ tsp | 1.25 mL | 8 drops | Gentle · first time · eye area |
| ½ tsp | 2.5 mL | ⅛ tsp | Standard · serums and creams |
| 1 tsp | 5 mL | ¼ tsp + 5 drops | Scalp and hair · masks |
| 2 tsp | 10 mL | ½ tsp + ⅛ tsp | Maximum. Do not exceed. |
Start at the standard level. Use the gentle level around the eyes or on sensitive skin, and patch-test each new batch on a small area for 24 hours. For any other batch size, use the dosage calculator.
Step 4: store and use
Label the bottle with the date, keep it cool and use it within a month. Apply a few drops to clean skin, morning or evening, before your moisturizer.
Troubleshooting
Turned purple or brown? The pH is outside 5 to 7, the serum got warm, or it touched vitamin C, EDTA or metal. Make a fresh batch in a different base.
Making a scalp serum? Use ¼ tsp of stock per 1 oz, or choose AHK‑Cu, the copper peptide formulators use for hair-growth serums. See GHK‑Cu vs AHK‑Cu.
