Scientifically speaking

Is copper in my cosmetic products dangerous?

This is an important question. Even though copper is absolutely vital and irreplaceable element that is involved in dozen of physiological processes, it may generate free radicals if hydrogen peroxide or ascorbic acid is present. Since free radicals can damage DNA and trigger cell death, prevention of such reactions is of outmost importance.

It has been long proposed that in the organism copper is immediately rendered harmless and transformed into innocuous bio-copper with the help of a number of small copper binding peptides. Because of their ability to safely wrap-up so much needed copper and to deliver it exactly where it is needed, such peptides ensure proper work of cellular machinery, producing significant reparative, rejuvenating and protective effects (which is exactly why you may want copper in your cosmetics). Recently, two studies confirmed the fact that copper is absolutely harmless and produces only beneficial effects, when bound to certain copper-peptides.

In one study, researchers investigated the structure and properties of the GHK-Cu complex. They proved, using a variety of methods that copper ions loses all ability to trigger free radical reactions, when bound to GHK. They also demonstrated that GHK-Cu can give away its copper ions as needed to support beneficial processes.

In another study, Japanese scientists established that a number of copper peptides including GGH peptide (Gly-Gly-His), which is similar to the GHK peptide, successfully prevented oxidative damage of DNA in the presence of copper, ascorbic acid and hydrogen peroxide.

When you eat copper-rich food, your food usually naturally contains copper binding peptides. Also, copper that passes into bloodstream quickly binds to large copper-carrying proteins, which carry it like cargo trains. However, when you use cosmetics, it is very important to make sure that it contains right kinds of copper binding proteins. In Skin Biology we use the GHK-Cu peptide, which has almost four decades of extensive research to back its safety and efficacy, as well as a second generation copper-peptides These peptides have well established skin remodeling and reparative power, as well as an unsurpassed ability to ensure complete safety and targeted delivery of copper ions. By selecting the right kind of ingredients, you can ensure that your skin will receive the full spectrum of benefit of copper – including wrinkle repair and new collagen synthesis – without any risk of side effects.

Hureau C., Eury H., Guillot R., Bijani C., Sayen S., Solari P.L., Guillon E., Faller P., Dorlet P.X-ray and solution structures of Cu(II) GHK and Cu(II) DAHK complexes: influence on their redox properties. Chem. Eur. J., 2011, 17, 10151-60

Yokawa K, Kagenishi T, Kawano T. Prevention of oxidative DNA degradation by copper-binding peptides. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2011;75(7):1377-9.

Product highlight

Diabetic Skin Therapy Cream

Diabetes can manifest itself in many organs including skin. Having too much glucose in your blood for too long may disrupt your skin natural repair circle and cause extreme dryness, cracking, inflammation and other problems.

While the Skin Biology products are not intended to cure or prevent diabetes, they can give your skin a welcome relief, creating an environment that supports healing and restores natural suppleness and softness of your skin.

Our diabetic Skin Therapy Cream designed with unique needs of diabetic skin in mind contains copper peptides, squalane, vegetable glycerin, amino acids leucin and glycine, aloe vera leaf juice, mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols, lycopene, lutein, astaxanthin and coenzyme Q10.

Copper peptides are small protein molecules that have high affinity for copper and are able to deliver it into the skin safely and promptly. Since skin needs copper to heal, such compounds have pronounced ability to improve skin’s repair. The first copper peptide was the tripeptide GHK-Cu discovered by Dr. Loren Pickart. GHK-Cu is renowned for its ability to facilitate skin healing, and was especially effective in treatment of difficult-to-heal skin lesions, such as ischemic wounds and wounds in diabetic experimental animals. Copper peptides work gently by activating your skin’s natural repair circle and awakening its dormant resources.

Squalane – is a natural component of your skin oil. It has excellent lubricating and protective properties instantly soothing and softening extremely dry skin.

Glycerin obtained from vegetable sources is a component of skin’s Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF). It hydrates the skin by binding water at its surface. It also is required for proper functioning of aquaporins – protein molecules that serves as water channels in your skin cells.

Aloe Vera gel (Aloe leaf juice) - is Nature’s own moisturizer and immune system stimulant. It contains water binding polysaccharides that activate immune cells, promoting healing and reducing inflammation and redness.

Antioxidant mix – the cream contains a powerful antioxidant mixture that includes various forms of vitamin E (mixed tocopherols and tooctrienols), carotenoids lutein and lycopene as well as a coenzyme Q10, which protect cell’s energetic stations (mitochondria) from free radical damage. Antioxidant mix reduces redness, soothes irritation, reliefs itching and promotes natural healing.

Your skin is endowed with regenerative power. It may be impeded by toxins, stresses and illnesses, but it cannot be extinguished. By carefully babying your skin, creating a special supportive, protective and stimulating environment, you can awaken those dormant reparative forces and then stand back and allow then to do their job. Our Diabetic Therapy Cream designed to relieve skin dryness, while supporting its natural repair forces with the power of copper peptides, aloe polysaccharides and natural antioxidants.

Diabetic skin cream cannot cure diabetes, but it can help your skin to feel and look better.