GHK-Cu ppm Calculator: Convert % to Parts Per Million
The math
Percent and ppm describe the same thing at different scales. Percent means parts per hundred; ppm means parts per million. The gap between the two units is a factor of 10,000:
| Label says | That equals | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 0.10% | 1,000 ppm | lowest disclosed serum in our 16-brand table |
| 0.2% | 2,000 ppm | a common disclosed strength |
| 1% | 10,000 ppm | mid-range for disclosed products |
| 3% | 30,000 ppm | highest disclosed serum we found |
Worked example: a serum lists 0.2% GHK-Cu. 0.2 × 10,000 = 2,000 ppm. Same amount, two ways of writing it.
What the market actually discloses
We checked the 16 most-searched copper peptide serums for one number: the GHK-Cu concentration. 8 publish it, 8 do not. The disclosed products span 0.10% to 3%, a 30x spread. The full table, brand by brand, is here: GHK-Cu concentration by brand.
Why you cannot compare labels to lab studies
Much of the GHK-Cu literature is cell and tissue work that states concentrations in molar units or ppm measured in solution, not in a finished cosmetic formula. A number from a petri dish does not translate to a serum label, in either direction. That is not a flaw in the research, it is a unit and context difference, and it is why "strongest" and "most researched" are different claims. The honest evidence picture, study by study and labeled by evidence level, is in the GHK-Cu Research Library (60 studies, 1977 to 2026, negative results included).
- What is GHK-Cu? Plain-English glossary entry.
- The copper uglies: what people report in the first weeks.
- 10 copper peptide serums compared: facts side by side.
FAQ
How many ppm is 1% GHK-Cu?
1% equals 10,000 ppm. The conversion is linear: multiply the percentage by 10,000. So 0.1% is 1,000 ppm, 0.2% is 2,000 ppm, and 3% is 30,000 ppm.
Is a higher GHK-Cu percentage always better?
Published research does not show a simple more-is-better curve for topical GHK-Cu, and community reports of irritation and the so-called copper uglies cluster around aggressive routines. Disclosed products on the market run from 0.10% to 3%, and formulation quality matters alongside the raw number.
Why do brands list % while studies use molar or ppm units?
Skincare labels use mass percentage because it is consumer-friendly. Lab studies often use molar concentrations or ppm because they measure exact amounts in solution. The units describe different contexts, which is why a petri-dish concentration cannot be compared directly to a serum label. This calculator handles the percent to ppm math; evidence context lives in our research library.
Built by MAXXING (trymaxxing.com). The calculator is a unit converter for cosmetic label math, educational, not medical advice. Our own serum's GHK-Cu number is printed on its label and listed in the disclosure table next to everyone else's.
Reading an ingredient list instead of a marketing page? Copper Tripeptide-1 explained.
Format changes how much of that number actually sits on skin: serum vs cream, lotion or shampoo.
