How Much GHK-Cu Is in NIOD CAIS?
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We sell a competing product. We are also going to tell you that NIOD discloses more than we do, because they do, and a comparison page that never concedes anything is worthless.
The short answer
NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 3 (CAIS3) states 1% GHK-Cu, alongside a separate 1% GHK. That is the most granular concentration disclosure we found in the entire category.
Most brands, when they disclose at all, give one number. NIOD separates the copper-bound peptide from the free peptide and gives both.
CAIS3, what is disclosed
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Stated concentration | 1% GHK-Cu, plus 1% GHK |
| Formulation pH | 5.7 to 6.7, disclosed |
| Full INCI published | Yes, 20 ingredients |
| Copper peptide position | 4th of 20 |
| Price | $62 for 15ml, $93 for 30ml |
| Price per ml | About $4.13 (15ml) or $3.10 (30ml) |
Both sizes showed out of stock when we checked on 24 August 2026, so those are listed prices rather than currently purchasable ones.
The INCI naming quirk worth knowing
This is the genuinely useful detail on this page.
NIOD lists its copper peptide as "Tripeptide-1 Copper Acetate", not "Copper Tripeptide-1". Those are different INCI listings for what is functionally the same thing.
The practical consequence: if you search an ingredient database or use a product scanner looking for the exact string "Copper Tripeptide-1", NIOD will not match. People have concluded from this that CAIS does not contain a copper peptide. It does. It is listed under a different name and sits 4th of 20.
The same caution applies in reverse if you are cross-checking any brand against a database.
CAIL is a different molecule
Copper Amino Isolate Lipid (CAIL) states 1% Pal-GHK-Cu, which is the palmitoyl version, not the same molecule as GHK-Cu. pH is disclosed as 4.8 to 5.8. Copper Tripeptide-1 sits 9th of 21. It is $93 for 15ml, about $6.20 per ml.
Worth knowing before you cross-shop them as if they were the same product at different prices. They are not.
The honest comparison
On disclosure, NIOD beats us. They publish a pH range and split the copper-bound from free peptide. We publish a single pH of 6.0 and a single 1% figure.
On price, we are $2.00 per ml against $3.10 to $4.13 for CAIS3, so meaningfully cheaper per ml. On availability, ours is in stock.
If you want the most thoroughly documented copper peptide serum on the market and price is not the constraint, CAIS3 has a real claim to that. We would rather say so than pretend otherwise.
One caution on third-party listings
NIOD's own page carries a disclaimer that formulations are updated periodically and the listed ingredients may differ by region and date. We found third-party databases listing a materially different INCI for CAIS, probably an earlier formulation. Use the brand page, not the database, and check the date.
Related
- The disclosure index, 23 products scored on what they actually state.
- GHK-Cu vs The Ordinary vs NIOD.
- What percentage actually matters.
Wrong about something? Email support@amide.skin and we will fix it and note the change.