Short answer: copper peptides (GHK-Cu, in German Kupferpeptide) are used in skincare for skin that should look firmer and smoother. Most of the research comes from the lab; studies in people are still small. German drugstores sell the two ingredients separately for about €6 each: copper peptides in the ISANA Multipeptide Serum at Rossmann, and a DNA ingredient marketed as rice PDRN in the Balea PDRN Power Serum at dm (listed as hydrolyzed DNA, not the sodium DNA used in Dr.Reju-All). The Dr.Reju-All Advanced PDRN Copper Peptide Serum 30ml costs €24.90 and puts copper peptides and PDRN in one serum, plus a multi-peptide complex. Its copper peptide amount is not disclosed, so the label cannot tell you whether it has more copper peptide than ISANA.
What do copper peptides (GHK-Cu / Kupferpeptide) do for skin?
GHK-Cu is a tiny peptide (three amino acids) bound to a copper ion. On ingredient lists it appears as Copper Tripeptide-1, and the EU cosmetic ingredient database (CosIng) lists its function as skin conditioning.
GHK-Cu is used in skincare for skin that looks less firm or less smooth. Laboratory studies and a small number of human studies have looked at GHK-Cu in relation to the appearance of firmness, elasticity and fine lines (Pickart & Margolina, 2018).
A 2025 review of topical GHK found too few controlled studies in people and open questions about how well it gets into skin (Mortazavi et al., 2025). A 2026 review came to a similar view: most of the evidence is still from the lab (Mateescu et al., 2026). Formulas also handle copper peptides with care: some brands advise against pairing them with strong acids, and Dr.Reju-All says its blue capsules help protect them from breaking down. It is a cosmetic ingredient, not a quick fix.
Why combine PDRN with copper peptides?
PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide, INCI: Sodium DNA) is a DNA-derived ingredient that became popular in Korean skincare, where it is included for skin conditioning. Dr.Reju-All puts both in one serum, which is convenient if you want both ingredients. That alone does not show the pair works better than either one on its own.
Evidence for PDRN in a cosmetic serum is limited. A 2026 review covered seven small trials of different PN/PDRN products, including ones used after surgery and for wounds; it does not tell you how this serum performs (Alhussain et al., 2026).
Dr.Reju-All PDRN Copper Peptide Serum review: is it worth it?
It is worth €24.90 if you want copper peptides and PDRN in one light serum. If you just want to try copper peptides for less, ISANA at Rossmann is the cheaper place to start.
At the listed prices it costs about €19 more than ISANA. For that difference you get copper peptides and PDRN in one bottle, plus a multi-peptide complex. The brand lists a 1% multi-peptide + copper peptide complex but does not say how much of that 1% is copper peptide, so you cannot tell from the label whether it has more or less copper peptide than ISANA. This review is based on the brand’s published information and ingredient list, not on a hands-on test.
What the brand says is in the bottle:
- PDRN 1,200 ppm for skin conditioning
- Multi-peptide + copper peptide complex 1% (copper share not disclosed)
- Hyaluronic acid 0.02% for hydration and hydrolyzed collagen for a smoother feel
- Blue capsules that hold the copper peptides and melt as you spread the serum
- 30 ml · no artificial colouring or fragrance, according to the brand
The brand’s full ingredient list also includes niacinamide.
Consider it if you want PDRN and copper peptides in the same serum and a Korean serum available for delivery to EU countries. Skip it if plant oils tend to irritate your skin (see side effects below), or if you use a strong acid or vitamin C serum every evening and do not want to alternate nights.
Korean copper peptide serum vs drugstore options (dm, Rossmann, The Ordinary)
In this table, ISANA (Rossmann) is the cheapest way to try copper peptides and Balea (dm) the cheapest serum sold as PDRN; Dr.Reju-All costs more and has both in one serum. Prices were checked on 8 October 2026 and can change with sales.
| Product (30 ml) | Where (Germany) | Price | Copper ingredient | Other key actives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr.Reju-All Advanced PDRN Copper Peptide Serum | Piyonna | €24.90 | Copper peptides inside a 1% multi-peptide complex (copper share not disclosed) | PDRN 1,200 ppm, hyaluronic acid, collagen, niacinamide |
| The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum | The Ordinary (DE) | €35.30 | Copper Tripeptide-1, 1% as stated by the brand | Multi-peptide complex |
| Balea PDRN Power Serum | dm | €5.95 | None listed | 1% “rice PDRN” as marketed (INCI: Hydrolyzed DNA), ceramides |
| ISANA Multipeptide Serum | Rossmann | €5.99 | Bis(Tripeptide-1) Copper Acetate, 0.5% as stated on the label | Peptides |
The percentages are what each brand states, and they are not measured the same way, so they are not a ranking of strength. Rossmann sells some The Ordinary products, but we did not find this serum there, and we did not find The Ordinary at dm. Piyonna’s price includes VAT and free EU shipping on orders over €20.
How to use a copper peptide serum (and can you combine it with retinol or vitamin C?)
Apply a small amount after toner, morning and evening, then moisturiser. That is the brand’s own direction for this serum. In the morning, finish with sunscreen.
Combining with retinol, vitamin C or acids (“Kupferpeptide mit Vitamin C kombinieren?”): we did not find peer-reviewed studies on these combinations. The Ordinary advises against pairing its own copper peptide serum with direct acids, direct vitamin C or retinoids; that is advice for its formula, not a rule for every copper peptide product. If you use Dr.Reju-All alongside those and your skin gets irritated, put them on separate evenings or stop the combination. You do not need a separate niacinamide step with this serum, since it is already on the ingredient list.
Are there side effects (Nebenwirkungen)?
Serious side effects are not commonly reported for cosmetic copper peptides, but irritation is possible, as with any active.
- Copper sensitivity: if you have reacted to copper or copper-containing products before, skip copper peptides and ask a dermatologist or pharmacist.
- Plant oils: the brand’s ingredient list includes Chamaecyparis Obtusa Oil and Anthemis Nobilis (chamomile) Flower Oil. Sensitive skin may react to plant oils.
- Too many actives at once: stinging or redness can come from layering copper peptides with strong acids or retinoids. If it happens, use them on separate nights or drop the combination.
- Pregnancy: there is little data. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before adding new actives.
Patch-test first: apply a little behind the ear or on the inner arm for a few days before using it on your face, and stop if your skin reacts.
Sources
- Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. Int J Mol Sci. 2018. PMID 29986520
- Mortazavi SM, Mohammadi Vadoud SA, Moghimi HR. Topically applied GHK as an anti-wrinkle peptide: Advantages, problems and prospective. BioImpacts. 2025. PMID 39963574
- Mateescu DM et al. GHK-Cu as a Bioactive Metallopeptide and Drug-Delivery Cargo. Pharmaceutics. 2026. PMID 42797253
- Alhussain AM et al. Polynucleotides and PDRNs for Skin Rejuvenation: Systematic Review of RCTs. Cureus. 2026. PMID 42572627
- European Commission CosIng: Copper Tripeptide-1
- Ingredient list, key-ingredient amounts and directions: Dr.Reju-All · INCIDecoder
This article is general cosmetic information and not medical advice.
