DIY GHK-CU Skin Serum

This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The formulations and concepts presented are for general knowledge and experimental understanding. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before use, and perform proper research and testing at your own discretion.

Lately, I’ve been seeing more and more posts from people asking about the process of working with GHK copper peptides—how to use them, how to formulate them, and how to actually turn the raw material into something practical for skin application. It’s clear there’s a lot of interest, but not a lot of straightforward, beginner-friendly guidance out there. So I figured I’d put together a simple, no-nonsense walkthrough to help bridge that gap and give you a solid starting point.

A practical target for a home serum is 0.5% GHK-Cu, which lands in the general range used in topical copper-peptide products. GHK-Cu is reported to be water-stable in about pH 4.5–7.4 and is more vulnerable to basic conditions, oxidation, and some chelating ingredients, so this formula keeps things simple and water-based. (PMC)

Formula by proportion

Use these proportions for the finished volume:

• GHK copper peptide (powder): 0.5%

• Hyaluronic acid solution: 20%

• Aloe vera gel: 20%

• Glycerin: 5%

• Shea butter extract: 5%

• Distilled water: 49.5%

  
  

50 mL batch example

For a full 50 mL batch:

• GHK copper peptide: 0.25 g

• Hyaluronic acid solution: 10 mL

• Aloe vera gel: 10 mL

• Glycerin: 2.5 mL

• Shea butter extract: 2.5 mL

• Distilled water: 24.75 mL

  
  

Easy scaling formula

For any batch size, multiply total volume by these numbers:

• GHK copper peptide (grams) = total mL × 0.005

• Hyaluronic acid solution (mL) = total mL × 0.20

• Aloe vera gel (mL) = total mL × 0.20

• Glycerin (mL) = total mL × 0.05

• Shea butter extract (mL) = total mL × 0.05

• Distilled water (mL) = total mL × 0.495

Example for 30 mL:

• GHK-Cu: 0.15 g

• HA solution: 6 mL

• Aloe gel: 6 mL

• Glycerin: 1.5 mL

• Shea butter extract: 1.5 mL

• Distilled water: 14.85 mL

  
  

Step-by-step instructions

1. Sanitize everything

Clean and dry:

• mixing cup or beaker

• spoon or glass stir rod

• measuring syringes or pipettes

• serum bottle

For a DIY water-based serum, cleanliness matters because you are not adding a full preservative system.

2. Add the water phase

Into your mixing container, add:

• distilled water

• glycerin

• hyaluronic acid solution

• aloe vera gel

Stir slowly until the mixture looks smooth and even.

3. Dissolve the GHK copper peptide

Measure your GHK-Cu powder separately.

Add it to a small portion of the distilled water from your formula, or add it directly into the water phase if you are stirring well. Mix until fully dissolved.

The serum should take on a light blue tone if the peptide is properly dispersed.

4. Add the shea butter extract

Add the shea butter extract slowly while stirring.

Important: this works best if your shea butter extract is water-compatible or already made for cosmetic serums. If it is a plain oil-based extract, the formula may separate without a solubilizer.

5. Stir until uniform

Mix gently for 1–3 minutes.

Do not whip air into it. You want a smooth serum, not foam.

6. Bottle the serum

Transfer the finished serum into a clean amber or opaque pump/dropper bottle.

Keep total volume at 50 mL or less.

7. Let it settle

Let the serum sit for a few hours so bubbles can rise and the texture can fully settle.

How to use

• Apply 2–4 drops to clean skin

• Use once daily at first

• If well tolerated, increase to morning and/or evening

• 
  

Practical tips

• Patch test first on a small area.

• Because this is a simple DIY water-based serum, it is smartest to make small batches.

• Store it in the refrigerator and discard it if you notice odor, color, or texture changes.

• Avoid mixing it in the same routine with strong direct acids, retinoids, or strong vitamin C formulas, since commercial copper-peptide products commonly advise against that pairing. (niod.com)

  
  

Best texture adjustment

If you want:

• thinner serum: increase distilled water slightly and reduce aloe a little

• thicker serum: increase aloe vera gel slightly and reduce water by the same amount

• more slip/hydration: increase glycerin a little, but keep it under about 7% or it may feel sticky

  
  

Simple “balanced” 50 mL version

This is the version I’d use first:

• 0.25 g GHK copper peptide

• 10 mL hyaluronic acid solution

• 10 mL aloe vera gel

• 2.5 mL glycerin

• 2.5 mL shea butter extract

• 24.75 mL distilled water

*Remember when mixing to stir slowly, no more than 30 rpm or less, until the peptide is dissolved.

Things to remember:

Usage

• Apply 2–4 drops to clean skin

• Start once daily, increase if tolerated

Storage

• Keep refrigerated

• Use within 2–4 weeks (DIY, no preservative)

• Discard if smell/color changes

Notes

• Avoid pairing with strong acids or retinoids (same routine)

• Patch test before use

• Keep pH roughly 4.5–7

Tools to make it easier:

1. https://amzn.to/4sWd9eb magnetic stirrer

2. https://amzn.to/4rMaino beaker 25-50ml, depending on user preference

3. https://amzn.to/4rMaino scale for milligram weight

4. 10 ML syringe

5. https://amzn.to/4sobH4L 25-50ml amber dropper bottle

Ingredient	10 mL Batch	30 mL Batch	50 mL Batch
GHK-Cu (powder)	0.05 g	0.15 g	0.25 g
Hyaluronic Acid	2 mL	6 mL	10 mL
Aloe Vera Gel	2 mL	6 mL	10 mL
Glycerin	0.5 mL	1.5 mL	2.5 mL
Shea Butter Extract	0.5 mL	1.5 mL	2.5 mL
Distilled Water	4.95 mL	14.85 mL	24.75 mL