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Someone is asking about making their own skincare serum using GHK-Cu (a copper peptide), how much to use in a 30 ml bottle of 2% hyaluronic acid, whether they can mix in AHK (a related peptide), and when to use other actives like vitamin C, retinol, and SNAP-8. They want practical starting amounts and timing for morning and night. GHK-Cu (often written GHK-Cu or just GHK) is a small peptide that naturally appears in the body and is used in skincare because it’s thought to help with skin repair and collagen production. It’s often sold as a powder that people dissolve into serums. AHK is a different short peptide (sometimes sold as “AHK-Cu” or similar) that has overlapping but not identical claims. SNAP-8 is another peptide aimed at reducing fine lines by slightly relaxing facial muscles. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a simple moisturizer that holds water in the skin; a 2% HA solution is a common carrier for mixing peptides. The kind of questions in the snippet come from DIY cosmetic mixing, which has real limitations. Most reliable data on topical GHK-Cu come from small studies, lab work, or cosmetic testing, not large clinical trials. Many skincare products that contain GHK-Cu put it in the range of 0.05% to 0.1% (that is, 0.5–1 mg per gram of product), though concentrations vary by brand. A “1 g per 30 ml” dose equals about 3.3% — far higher than typical commercial products and likely unnecessary. Starting lower is safer. A common DIY recommendation is to start with 0.05–0.1% for active peptides, so for 30 ml (about 30 grams) that would be roughly 15–30 mg, not grams. If you see advice to use “half a gram” (500 mg) in 30 ml, that’s still around 1.7% — higher than typical. For SNAP-8 and other peptides, effective concentrations used in products are usually in the low milligram per 30 ml range (tens of mg). Because different peptides can interact and because stability (how long they stay effective) varies, many people add one peptide at a time or buy preformulated products. Why this matters: peptides and actives can help with firmness, texture, and fine lines when used appropriately. But more is not always better. Using too-high concentrations can cause irritation or waste product because the peptide may not be more effective past a certain point. Timing matters too: retinol is typically used at night because it increases sun sensitivity, and vitamin C is commonly used in the morning for antioxidant protection. If you plan to use a DIY peptide serum, consider using it in your routine when you aren’t layering strong actives that could destabilize or irritate (for example, avoid combining fresh high-strength vitamin C and high-concentration retinol at the same time). Caveats and risks: homemade mixing risks contamination, incorrect dosing, and stability problems (peptides can break down if not stored correctly). Copper peptides like GHK-Cu can sometimes react with vitamin C or reduce the effectiveness when mixed with certain actives; the safety of mixing AHK and GHK together isn’t fully established in DIY contexts. People with sensitive skin, active rosacea, or those using prescription topical treatments should be cautious and ideally consult a dermatologist. If you want to experiment, start with low concentrations, patch-test on a small skin area, store mixes in the fridge, and use within a short time. Regulatory status: personal mixing for private use isn’t illegal, but quality and sterility won’t match commercial products that undergo testing. Bottom line: don’t use gram-level amounts for peptides in a 30 ml serum; start very low (milligram-range), introduce one peptide at a time, use retinol at night and vitamin C in the morning, and consider buying a tested commercial product or consulting a dermatologist if unsure.
Source: r/Peptides