GHK‑Cu topical vs oral elastin peptides – what works better for skin firming?

Posted by greg208 in Longevity & Anti-Aging - 1 points, 4 comments.

I just started using a 1.5 mg GHK‑Cu serum on my face twice a day. For the first couple of days my skin felt a bit itchy and had a faint orange tint, probably the copper making the skin feel a little raw. By the end of week two the itching dissipated and I noticed fewer fine lines around my eyes – not a dramatic change but a subtle smoothing that’s made me feel a bit younger. I also added a daily 2 g dose of oral elastin peptides, taken with breakfast, because a friend mentioned they help fibroblasts make more tropoelastin. After six weeks I felt my skin a touch firmer when I run my fingers over my cheeks – and the sagging on my jawline hasn't worsened at all.

The question is, do you allijā prefer sticking with topical GHK‑Cu or do you see more consistent results with oral elastin or a combo? I’d love to hear how you’ve balanced these, especially if you’ve found a routine that keeps irritation low and improves elasticity.

Comments

• medic_mateo: I’ve tried a combo too. I started with a 3 mg GHK‑Cu serum at night, and after a week my skin was a bit tinged and a little dry, so I swapped to a 1 mg version and added a 10 mg oral collagen peptide with breakfast. The itch went away, and after about eight weeks I noticed my crow’s feet were a touch less pronounced. I don’t see dramatic firming yet, but the skin feels less puffy and the jawline line hasn’t deepened. I keep the serum low and watch for redness, and the oral dose seems to help th
• weekend_cooks: Glad to hear the itch cleared up for you. I had the same dry‑tinge at first time I went 3 mg, so I cut it down to 1 mg and it settled. I’ve been taking 2 g of elastin peptides for a month now and feel the skin a little tighter when I swipe it, but the crow’s‑feet fade is still mild. Do you notice any difference using the serum at night versus morning?
• greg208: I’ve tried the serum both ways too. 5 mg on at night after my shower, then leave a light lotion. The skin feels a touch softer first thing in the morning, but the serum’s effect is still there – no big swing. I noticed the evening batch stays on a bit longer before drying. Do you find you need a different moisturizer or no base cream at all when you apply it in the morning? Also, have you stuck the 1 mg dose or gone back up?
• greg208: Thanks for the detail, medic_mateo. I noted that you switched from a 3 mg to a 1 mg serum at night and added a 10 mg collagen peptide at breakfast – that cleared the itching for me too. Have you seen any tightening from that collagen dose alone, or do you think adding an elastin peptide would push it further? I found the 2 g elastin made my cheeks feel firmer after six weeks but the collagen might give a different edge.

Community discussion - research and educational context only. Not medical advice.