Molecular Barrier Recovery
1% GHK-Cu, disclosed, delivered to dermal fibroblasts. Supports the appearance of a resilient, structurally intact barrier, especially through post-training oxidative stress.
amide
Dermal Recovery Serum
face
what you use between protocols
30ml · apply twice daily
1% GHK-Cu. Aqueous delivery. Zero tactile interference. Molecular barrier recovery between every session.
How It Works
Pause anytime · 60-day guarantee · Ships in 3 to 5 days
Aqueous. Zero Interference.
Water-based delivery absorbs before your next protocol. No pilling with retinoids, peptides, or SPF. No film. No silicones. The signal lands; the formula disappears.
No silicones. No pilling.
Water-based formula absorbs before your next protocol. No pilling with retinoids, peptides, or SPF. No film residue. The signal lands, the formula disappears.
Signal depth. Not surface treatment.
GHK-Cu (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine copper complex) is a naturally occurring tripeptide the human body uses as a signal for tissue remodeling. At age 20, plasma concentrations sit around 200 ng/mL. By age 60 that drops to roughly 80 ng/mL, a decline that tracks with falling regenerative capacity. The Dermal Recovery Serum delivers 1% GHK-Cu in an aqueous base at pH 6.0, the formulation window that keeps the copper bound to the peptide instead of dissociating. Published gene expression reviews associate GHK with modulation of a broad set of human genes, and cell and tissue models associate it with collagen and elastin synthesis and with antioxidant enzyme activity. Applied twice daily. The aqueous base absorbs immediately and layers cleanly under retinoids, peptides and SPF without pilling or residue.
1
Apply
2
Signal
3
Remodel
What is inside.
Copper Tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu)
signalThe hero molecule, at a disclosed 1%. Published gene expression reviews associate GHK with the modulation of a broad set of human genes, spanning matrix remodeling, antioxidant response and inflammatory signalling. In cell and tissue models it is associated with collagen and elastin synthesis and with antioxidant enzyme activity. Held near pH 6.0 so the copper stays bound to the peptide, which is the failure point in a lot of competitor formulas.
Disclosed at 1% on every unit, which is the concentration most of the topical literature works at.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (Argireline)
signalA well studied cosmetic peptide used for the appearance of expression lines. It works at a different layer than GHK-Cu, which is what makes the two complementary in a stack rather than redundant.
Cosmetic peptide, used at topical cosmetic concentrations.
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
signalA collagen-supporting peptide, included because it sits downstream of where GHK-Cu acts. GHK-Cu carries the remodeling signal; this reinforces the synthesis side.
One of the more studied collagen-supporting peptides. Included alongside GHK-Cu in the formula.
Niacinamide
functionalBarrier reinforcement, oil regulation, and support for the appearance of even tone. Supports ceramide production in the stratum corneum. Stable alongside GHK-Cu at pH 6.0, unlike vitamin C, which would pull the copper off the peptide.
One of the most consistently validated topical actives. Included as a lead functional.
Beta-Glucan
functionalBarrier soothing and high moisture retention. Useful on skin that has taken oxidative load from hard training, travel or a bad week of sleep.
Oat or yeast derived polysaccharide. One of the better studied topical actives for barrier comfort.
Centella Asiatica Extract
functionalTriterpenoid complex including madecassoside and asiaticoside. Supports the appearance of firmness and the comfort of a barrier under load.
One of the most studied botanical actives for barrier recovery. Sits well alongside GHK-Cu.
Lactobacillus / Mushroom Ferment Complex
functionalReishi and Shiitake derived ferment filtrates supporting a balanced skin surface, delivered without disrupting the pH the copper complex depends on.
Lactobacillus/Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi)/Lentinus Edodes (Shiitake) Extract Ferment Filtrate.
Full INCI: Aqua, Niacinamide, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Lactobacillus/Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi Mushroom) Extract/Lentinus Edodes (Shiitake Mushroom) Extract Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Saccharomyces/Capsicum Annuum Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Royal Jelly, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract, Fructooligosaccharides, Beta Vulgaris (Beet) Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydrolyzed Ganoderma (Mushroom) Lucidum Extract, Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate, Citric Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Xanthan Gum, Beta Glucan, Sodium Hydroxide, Silver Citrate
Disclosed at 1% GHK-Cu, formulated at pH 6.0. Certificate of Analysis available on request. Contains Royal Jelly, so this formula is not vegan. The face and scalp products share the same formula in different applicators.
The signal has 40 years of research behind it.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences (Pickart and Margolina)
2018
A review of gene expression data associating GHK with modulation of a broad set of human genes, spanning tissue remodeling, antioxidant response and inflammatory signalling. This is a review of prior gene data, not a clinical trial.
View studyJournal of Cosmetic Dermatology
2023
Laboratory testing on human fibroblasts and ex-vivo skin found GHK-Cu upregulated collagen IV, both alone and combined with hyaluronic acid. Cell and tissue models, not a human clinical endpoint.
View studyOxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
2012
A review of GHK-Cu in the context of oxidative stress and age-related decline, including its relationship to antioxidant enzyme activity. Mechanistic review, not a measurement taken on a finished cosmetic.
View studyThese are mechanistic and laboratory studies of GHK-Cu as an isolated ingredient. None of them tested this product, and none are clinical trials of a finished cosmetic. Nothing here is a claim about treating hair loss or any medical condition.
Built for the protocol-literate.
The Dermal Recovery Serum is for people who already understand that the skin is not cosmetic infrastructure. It is functional hardware. The ones who track their oxidative load, know what post-training barrier depletion looks like, and have already eliminated the fragrance-heavy, silicone-laden products that interfere with their other protocols. They are not chasing glow. They are maintaining barrier integrity between training sessions, hard weeks, and high-output work periods. This is the product for the person who finishes a morning lift, showers, and reaches for something that absorbs before they are dry, that layers under their peptides, sunscreen, and retinoids without pilling. Who understands that 1% GHK-Cu is not a marketing number but a concentration threshold. Who wants the signal, not the ceremony.
Protocol feedback.
Been running GHK-Cu for two years across three brands. This is the first one that doesn't pill under SPF. My skin barrier is measurably better (less reactive post-training, tighter around the jaw). The concentration disclosure alone is worth switching for.
I stack this with tretinoin and a low-pH AHA, separate AM/PM application. Zero interaction issues, absorbs immediately, no residue. Was skeptical about the 1% claim vs. the usual proprietary blend language. On week three my skin has significantly calmed. Exactly what it says it does.
Common questions.
How do I apply the Dermal Recovery Serum?
Apply to clean skin, morning and evening. Use the dropper to apply 3 to 4 drops to the face and neck. Allow to absorb fully before layering other products. The aqueous base absorbs without friction. Compatible with retinoids, peptides, and SPF. Do not layer with Vitamin C or direct acids in the same application window, pH conflict will destabilize the GHK-Cu complex.
Why does concentration matter?
Most copper peptide products use proprietary blend language that obscures actual concentration. 1% is the concentration most of the topical GHK-Cu literature works at, and the point where the signal registers reliably. Below that you are mostly buying water. amide discloses 1% on every unit. That is the standard the category should hold itself to.
What is the pH of the formula and why does it matter?
The formula is stabilized at pH 6.0. This is the formulation window at which GHK-Cu maintains complex integrity, keeping the copper ion bound to the tripeptide. Below pH 4 (common with direct acids) or in the presence of Vitamin C, the copper dissociates from the peptide and the biological signal is lost. amide formulas do not include any pH-incompatible actives.
Can I layer this with my other protocols?
Yes, with one exception. The amide formulas are compatible with retinoids, other peptides (Matrixyl, Argireline, Leuphasyl), niacinamide, and SPF. Do not layer in the same application window as Vitamin C or direct acids (AHAs, BHAs, PHAs). pH conflict will destabilize the GHK-Cu complex. If you use Vitamin C in your AM protocol, apply amide at a separate time or use it PM only.
Will I notice a skin adjustment period?
Some people notice a temporary texture change in the first few weeks. Copper peptides drive matrix remodeling, which includes clearing old matrix as well as building new, and running the signal continuously at high frequency can let the clearing side get ahead. If you notice it, pause for two to four weeks and resume on a cycle rather than continuously. Thirty days on and thirty days off is the schedule we recommend for exactly this reason.
Who should not use this product?
If you are pregnant, nursing, or have a known sensitivity to copper or any listed ingredient, do not use. If you are on prescription topicals (tretinoin, clindamycin, or similar), consult your dermatologist before adding a copper peptide to the same protocol window. Individuals with Wilson disease (copper metabolism disorder) should not use copper-containing topicals. This is a cosmetic product. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, including hair loss.
What is the guarantee?
If you are not satisfied, contact us within 60 days of your order for a full refund. You do not need to return the bottle. Shipping is $8 flat, free on orders over $70, and orders arrive in 3 to 5 business days. Subscriptions ship automatically on your billing date with advance notification.
Can I pause or cancel my Protocol Subscription?
Yes. Pause, skip, or cancel at any time from your account dashboard. No calls, no friction. Changes made before your next billing date apply to that shipment.
Initialize Protocol.
Protocol Subscription, $8 off every month. Pause anytime.
add the scalp protocol
Run the full stack.
Your face is getting the signal. Your scalp should too.
The Follicle Protocol Serum delivers 1% GHK-Cu directly to the scalp via spray applicator. Once daily. Absorbs before styling.
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amide products are cosmetics, not drugs or dietary supplements. All claims describe the appearance of the skin and scalp and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Individual results vary. Studies referenced examine GHK-Cu as an isolated ingredient and are not a guarantee of outcomes for this finished formulation. Consult a physician before use if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription medications.