Copper Peptides, Eczema and Psoriasis: What the Research Shows

Can copper peptides help eczema or psoriasis? We couldn't find a published clinical trial that tested GHK-Cu on either condition. The research on copper peptides comes mostly from cells in a dish, animal wound studies and cosmetic studies on ageing skin. None of that tells you anything about eczema or psoriasis, so we don't claim it does.

Both are medical conditions with proven treatments, and a dermatologist or your GP is the right person for diagnosis and for any decision about what goes on affected skin. This article explains what each condition is, what the copper peptide research does and doesn't cover, and some general skincare points for skin that reacts easily.

What eczema is

The NHS describes atopic eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, as a common condition that causes itchy skin. Skin can become dry, cracked, crusty, scaly or thickened, and it tends to go through flare-ups and calmer spells. It's most common in young children, but it can start at any age, and it's more likely if a parent has it or relatives have asthma or hay fever.

The American Academy of Dermatology points out that eczema is actually a group of conditions, and atopic dermatitis is the most common type. It also notes that it looks different on different skin tones: pink or red on lighter skin, and dark brown, grey or purple, with very dry skin, on darker skin.

Triggers and treatment

The NHS lists common triggers as soaps and detergents, allergens such as pollen or pets, temperature changes, infections, stress and hormonal changes. There's no cure, though symptoms often improve with age. The main treatments are emollients, meaning moisturising creams, lotions and ointments used at least twice a day, and steroid creams for flare-ups. The AAD stresses that early diagnosis and proper treatment can stop it getting worse.

What psoriasis is

The NHS describes psoriasis as a common skin condition that causes itchy, painful patches of dry, flaky skin. The patches can look silvery-white and scaly. They tend to be pink or red on lighter skin and grey on darker skin. Nails can be affected too, with dents and pits.

Psoriasis happens because skin makes more skin cells than usual, and those cells build up into patches. The NHS says it's thought to be caused by a problem with the immune system, and it runs in families. Triggers include stress, alcohol, smoking, infections, skin injuries and some medicines. Like eczema, it can't be cured, but treatments such as vitamin D creams, steroid creams, light therapy and medicines help manage it.

Why they're different

People often group eczema and psoriasis together as "inflamed skin", but they aren't the same thing. Eczema is closely tied to dry, easily irritated skin, which is why moisturisers are the backbone of treatment. Psoriasis is thought to start in the immune system. That difference matters when you read claims about any ingredient being good for "both".

What the research on copper peptides and eczema shows

Very little, and none of it is on eczema. GHK-Cu has decades of research behind it, but it was built on other questions. A 2015 review in BioMed Research International summarises the main strands:

• Cell studies showing effects on collagen and related molecules in a dish.
• Wound studies in rats, mice, pigs and dogs.
• Cosmetic studies on skin ageing, measuring things like firmness, fine lines and sun damage.

The review mentions that GHK has been proposed as a possible therapy for skin inflammation. That's a suggestion for future work, not a result in people with eczema or psoriasis.

Reading that research honestly

We apply the same rule of three to every study. What it did: looked at cells, animal wounds and ageing skin. How it relates to eczema and psoriasis: background at best, because nobody measured itch, flare-ups or patches. What it doesn't prove: that GHK-Cu, or any product containing it, helps either condition. A wound model is not eczema, and collagen in a dish is not psoriasis.

Why we don't make eczema or psoriasis claims

Both conditions have treatments that were tested on the people who have them. Copper peptides haven't been. So we don't describe our products as helping eczema or psoriasis, and we'd be wary of anyone who does.

If you have either condition and want to try a new skincare product, ours included, check with your dermatologist or GP first. Never stop or swap a prescribed treatment for a cosmetic. And see a doctor promptly if skin looks infected, a flare isn't responding to your usual treatment, or you notice changes that haven't been checked before.

General skincare points for skin that reacts easily

These apply to anyone whose skin is easily irritated, whatever the reason:

• One new product at a time. If something reacts, you'll know what it was.
• Patch test first on a small area of unaffected skin for several days.
• Skip broken or irritated skin. Don't start anything new on a patch that's already sore.
• Keep the routine short. Fewer products means fewer chances of a reaction.
• Go easy on strong actives. Stacking acids, retinoids and other actives can leave skin irritated.

Our guide to copper peptides for sensitive skin goes into introducing products slowly, and our guide to repairing a damaged skin barrier explains what a stressed barrier looks and feels like.

Where copper peptides fit in an everyday routine

People use copper peptides for general signs of ageing: firmness, fine lines, dryness and skin that looks tired. That's what the cosmetic research measured. If you're new to the ingredient, what GHK-Cu is covers the basics.

If you use a copper peptide serum, such as ours, the routine is short: cleanse, serum, moisturiser, and sunscreen in the morning. Patch test first. If you have eczema or psoriasis, ask your dermatologist before adding it, and keep it away from affected patches unless they say otherwise.

Frequently asked questions

Can copper peptides replace my eczema or psoriasis treatment?

No. There's no clinical evidence that GHK-Cu treats either condition, and prescribed treatments have been tested on people who have them. Keep using what your doctor prescribed, and talk to them before you change anything. A cosmetic serum isn't a substitute for emollients, steroid creams or any other treatment you've been given.

Is it safe to use copper peptides on eczema-prone skin?

We can't give a verdict, because it hasn't been studied in people with eczema. Eczema-prone skin can react to things other skin tolerates, including fragrance and soap. Ask your dermatologist or GP first. If they're happy for you to try it, patch test on unaffected skin and introduce it on its own. Our article on copper peptide irritation covers what a reaction can look like.

How often can you use copper peptides?

For general skin care, most people use them once or twice a day. The questions around frequency and copper toxicity myths are covered in our guide to using copper peptides every day. If you have eczema or psoriasis, how often you use anything on your skin is worth agreeing with your dermatologist.

The short version

Eczema and psoriasis are different long-term conditions, and neither can be cured, but both have treatments that work. We couldn't find any clinical trial of copper peptides for either. GHK-Cu research is cell, animal wound and skin ageing work, so we don't claim it helps. See a dermatologist or GP for diagnosis and treatment, keep your routine gentle, and ask before you add anything new.