It's a peptide your own body makes. It turns skincare blue. And it's been studied in face creams for more than 20 years. Now it's been whipped into beef tallow and honey, the old-school skin softeners everyone's rediscovering.
Or 4 interest-free payments of about $12.50 with Afterpay or Zip
Two skincare trends have taken over Aussie feeds this year: copper peptide (GHK-Cu) and beef tallow. One is a modern lab discovery. The other is as old-school as it gets. Put them together and you get something pretty special.
Most of what you'll read is either hype or hard science. So we did the reading for you: the original research, the dermatology reviews, and what people who use it say. What we found surprised us.
GHK-Cu is a tiny copper peptide: three amino acids (glycine, histidine and lysine) holding on to one copper ion. Dr Loren Pickart first found it in human blood in 1973.
GHK is a peptide your body makes naturally. At 20, researchers measured about 200 ng/mL in the blood. By 60, it's down to about 80. That's less than half.
So it's no surprise skin scientists wanted to know what happens when you put it on the skin. They've been finding out ever since.
In 2002, researchers presented a study to the American Academy of Dermatology that got people talking.
Compared with women using a plain cream, their fine lines looked softer and their skin looked firmer and clearer.
A later 12-week study of women in their 50s found skin looked firmer, smoother and more even with a GHK-Cu cream.
That's how copper peptide went from the lab to the beauty counter. Today you'll find copper peptide serums at Australia's biggest beauty retailers.
Studies used GHK-Cu creams from other brands.
Copper bound to GHK absorbs orange-red light, so to your eye it looks blue. No dye is listed in our ingredients. So when you open the jar and see that soft blue, you're looking at the copper peptide.
No dye. Just copper peptide.
Already sold? Jump to the bundles β
You've probably seen beef tallow all over your feed. It sounds new, but it's one of the oldest skin softeners there is. Long before the supermarket skincare aisle, people used animal fats like tallow to keep skin soft through harsh weather. It's still used in soap today.
Tallow is rich, comforting and old-school, which is exactly why a new generation is rediscovering it. People love it for skin that feels dry, tight or rough, and for that soft, cushioned feel it leaves behind.
Here's why tallow feels so at home on your skin. It's made of the same kinds of fatty acids your skin uses to stay soft. Your skin recognises them.
*Approximate share of the fat in beef tallow (USDA FoodData Central). Skin: Russell et al, Cureus 2024.
That's the big difference between tallow and a lot of modern creams. It doesn't feel like a coating sitting on top. It feels like skin that's finally comfortable.
Dermatologists sort moisturiser ingredients into three jobs, and they work best together. This jar does all three:
Glycerin is one of the most studied moisturising ingredients in skincare. Honey has been used on skin since the earliest civilisations. Tallow softens and helps seal it all in. And the copper peptide rides along in every dab.
Compare that with a popular 30ml copper peptide serum, which costs about $54 at a big Aussie beauty retailer, and you still need a moisturiser on top. Here it's all in one jar. A pea-sized dab, pressed in, morning and night. Face, neck, hands and elbows. Men and women.
Copper peptide, beef tallow and honey, whipped into one light cream
If anyone promises you overnight results from a peptide, walk away. Here's what to really expect with daily use:
That's also why our customers have been buying more than 2 jars per order on average: so they don't run out halfway.
The full ingredient list, in order, with what each one does. Some brands hide this. We'd rather you know.
β Made for you if: your skin feels dry or tight Β· light creams wear off by lunchtime Β· you're curious about copper peptide but don't want a 5-step routine Β· you want one jar for face, neck and hands.
β Not for you if: you avoid animal or bee products Β· you're allergic to beef, honey or copper.
Not sure? Patch test on your inner arm for 24 hours first. Breakout-prone? Start with a small amount, once a day at night.
Same jar for him and her
It arrives in its own box, so a 2-pack is one for you and one ready to wrap. Perfect for the mum, sister, partner or mate who'd never buy themselves something nice for their skin.
Brilliant Aussies is an Australian-owned online store. Since 2021, over 50,000 Aussies have shopped with us. We test new products, we tell you what's actually in them, and real people answer your emails, usually within 24 hours.
Questions before you buy? Email info@brilliantaussies.com.
Results build over 8 to 12 weeks, and our customers average more than 2 jars per order. Tap an option to go straight to secure checkout.
β Free delivery in 5 to 10 days Β· β Skin-Safe Promise Β· β Afterpay & Zip
Jar arrives broken, or your skin has a bad reaction to it? Email us within 14 days of delivery, with a photo, and we'll refund you, even if the jar's been opened.
Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law always apply.
Choose my bundleFrom $26.66 a jar Β· free delivery Β· Skin-Safe PromiseA tiny copper peptide, first found in human blood in 1973, that's been used in skin creams for the look of firmer, smoother skin for more than 20 years.
Enough to turn the whole cream blue. Our supplier doesn't publish an exact percentage, so rather than quote a number, we show you the colour and the full ingredient list (it's listed as Copper Tripeptide-1).
No. It has barely any smell at all, and none of the beefy smell people expect from tallow.
Delivery is free Australia-wide and tracked. Your order arrives in 5 to 10 days.
No. It's a whipped gel-cream, not a heavy balm. A pea-sized dab sinks in within a minute or two and leaves skin soft, not shiny.
Yes, just not all at once. Use vitamin C in the morning and this at night, or the other way round. Don't layer it straight over AHA/BHA exfoliants or retinol in the same routine. Alternate nights instead. And always wear sunscreen during the day.
Start small: a pea-sized amount, once a day at night, after a patch test. Tallow is only a small part of this light, water-based cream, but everyone's skin is different.
Because it works. Cosmetic-grade mineral oil helps seal moisture in and is known for excellent skin tolerance. We'd rather show you the full ingredient list than hide anything.
Skin feels soft and moisturised from the first use. For the look of firmer, smoother skin, give it 8 to 12 weeks of daily use. That's how long the GHK-Cu cream studies ran.
Each jar is 60g. You only need a pea-sized dab for your face, so a little goes a long way.
Yes. Same jar, same routine. A pea-sized dab after a shower or shave and you're done.
No. It's a cosmetic moisturiser for the look and feel of your skin. It doesn't treat any skin condition.
Pay in full, or split it into 4 interest-free payments with Afterpay or Zip. On one jar that's about $12.50 a payment.
Soft skin from day one. The look of firmer, smoother skin over 8 to 12 weeks.
Choose my bundleFrom $26.66 a jar Β· free delivery Β· Afterpay & ZipOr 4 interest-free payments of about $12.50 with Afterpay or Zip
Sources
Cosmetic product for the look and feel of skin. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or skin condition. The studies mentioned tested GHK-Cu creams from other brands, not this product. Results vary. Patch test before use and stop if irritation occurs.
Questions? info@brilliantaussies.com Β· Brilliant Aussies, Aussie-owned Β· Over 50,000 Aussie customers since 2021
