Q&A: Optimizing Copper Peptide Through Next-Generation Delivery

As interest in biomimetic ingredients continues to accelerate within professional skin care, copper peptides—particularly the naturally occurring tripeptide GHK-Cu—have re-emerged as a focus of clinical and formulary innovation. In this Q&A, Dermatology Times spoke with Nayan Patel, PharmD, of Auro Skincare, whose team has developed a next-generation Copper Peptide Serum designed to mirror the molecule’s native biological environment and improve its delivery into the skin. Patel offers insight into how advancements in peptide delivery may shape the future landscape of evidence-based cosmeceutical development.

Dermatology Times: What inspired the team to develop a copper peptide product? What skin concerns or patient skin types are you aiming to address?

Patel: Auro Wellness developed the Copper Peptide Serum with a focus on supporting the skin’s natural ability to repair oxidative stress and age-related decline. Our product philosophy centers on restoring ingredients the body already produces to maintain youthful, resilient skin. GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring tripeptide found in human plasma, and its levels decrease with age. By reintroducing this peptide back to the skin, the goal is to help replenish a native molecule that plays a key role in maintaining firmness, radiance, and overall skin vitality.
Because GHK-Cu naturally complexes with copper in human plasma to increase its effectiveness, the serum was formulated to mirror that supportive biological environment for the skin. This enables the peptide to participate in the same restorative processes it performs in the body. The Copper Peptide Serum targets common age-related changes like loss of firmness, reduced density, dullness, and early to advanced signs of aging, while remaining suitable for a wide range of skin types.^1-3

Dermatology Times: Can you describe the unique formulation process? What sets it apart from other copper-based cosmeceuticals on the market?

Patel: The Copper Peptide Serum is formulated using Auro Wellness’ multi-patented Auro GSH Antioxidant Delivery System, a technology originally designed to stabilize small tripeptides such as glutathione and GHK-Cu. This platform supports the peptide’s stability and allows it to reach deeper layers of the skin, rather than remaining on the surface, as is common with standard copper peptide formulations. By recreating the environment in which GHK naturally complexes with copper in the body, the system helps maintain the peptide’s effectiveness as it interacts with the skin.
What ultimately sets this formula apart is the delivery technology itself: Auro GSH is engineered to assist the movement of tripeptides within the skin in a way conventional formulations typically cannot achieve. The serum also reflects Auro Wellness’ clean formulation standards and has undergone dermatologist testing, non-irritation testing, and non-sensitization testing, evaluations that many copper peptide products have not completed. These combined factors distinguish the Copper Peptide Serum as a more advanced and biologically aligned approach to peptide-based skin rejuvenation.^4–6

Dermatology Times: What are the most significant clinical data and study points that support its efficacy?

Patel: The Copper Peptide Serum is supported by an instrument-based clinical study of 30 women aged 33 to 77. The results were notable as early as 1 week, with measurable improvements in both skin firmness and skin density. Approximately 93% of participants showed increased density at week 1, and 83% maintained improvements at week 4. Fine lines and wrinkles also demonstrated visible clinical improvement by week 4. What makes these findings especially meaningful is that the serum delivers an ingredient the body already recognizes and works with. Because the peptide aligns with the skin’s natural repair pathways, the improvements in firmness and density appeared quickly, reflecting a response that is both efficient and biologically familiar.
Safety testing further confirmed that the serum is dermatologist-tested, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing, and consumer perception outcomes closely mirrored the measured results, with high agreement rates for improved firmness, smoothness, brightness, hydration, and overall skin vitality.⁶

Dermatology Times: How does this new serum support your brand ethos and complement the rest of Auro’s product line?

Patel: The Copper Peptide Serum fits directly into Auro Wellness’ brand ethos by uniting the 2 pillars that define our approach to skin health: reducing oxidative stress and enhancing visible rejuvenation. Glutathione, delivered through our patented Auro GSH system, addresses the oxidative burden created by photodamage, environmental exposure, and chemical stressors. GHK-Cu complements this by serving as the peptide-based “beauty enhancer,” supporting firmness, radiance, and structural vitality.
Together, these 2 technologies create what we see as an ideal partnership, one ingredient helps remove the biochemical stressors that interfere with healthy aging, while the other actively supports the skin’s appearance and renewal. Because they work through different but complementary pathways, the combination allows for a more complete approach to skin health than either could achieve alone. This synergy reinforces Auro Wellness’ mission to pair scientific insight with highly targeted, biomimetic ingredients that elevate both skin resilience and visible outcomes.

Dermatology Times: How do you foresee copper peptides shaping the future of skin science and product development in the skin care industry?

Patel: The next phase of peptide-driven skin science will be shaped largely by advancements in delivery technology. Peptides, including GHK-Cu, are naturally challenging to move into the skin because of their molecular structure. Traditionally, this has limited their effectiveness, even though their biological potential is well recognized. With newer delivery systems, small peptides like glutathione and GHK-Cu can now be supported in reaching deeper layers of the skin more efficiently. This shift removes one of the biggest historical barriers in peptide-based skincare and opens the door for formulations that work more directly with the skin’s natural renewal pathways.
Because of this technological progress, copper peptides are positioned to play a much larger role in future product development. The ability to deliver them effectively means they can be incorporated into routines designed to support firmness, density, and visible rejuvenation. As delivery technologies continue to evolve, peptide-focused skincare is likely to become one of the most promising and impactful directions in next-generation skin health innovation.

References

1. Pickart L, Mazzio E. GHK peptide as a natural modulator of pathways supporting skin regeneration. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2015. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26236730/

2. Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and protective actions of the GHK-Cu peptide in the light of the new gene data. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(7):1987.
Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6073405/

3. Pickart L, Margolina A. Skin Regenerative and Anti-Cancer Actions of Copper Peptides. Cosmetics. 2018;5(2):29. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics5020029

4. Auro Wellness Internal Research Report. Transdermal Glutathione Delivery Using Cyclodextrin Technology. 2023. Available at: https://aurowellness.com/blogs/blog/glutathione-study?srsltid=AfmBOopdG4XU-Oowh-gUbk0qtzIqPFNvreSRA4V5DuwP4TIQyY0UjvzP

5. Auro Wellness Technical Document. Auro GSH Antioxidant Delivery System Overview. 2022.

6. Auro Wellness Clinical Study. Copper Peptide Serum Study Summary. Thirty female subjects. Dermatologist tested. Clinical measurement and perception outcomes.