GHK-Cu in skincare: what the peptide science actually supports

What did @ahnestkitchen actually say?

The creator claims her 67-year-old mother has "zero pores" and attributes this to a layered Korean skincare routine involving warm and cold compress therapy, rotating DIY masks (yogurt and honey), a vitamin C serum, sheet masks used sparingly as toner replacements, and SPF 50+ sunscreen. She says her mother has done warm and cold compresses "since her early 30s" and exercises before the routine begins.

To be fair, this is framed as a personal routine, not medical advice. The creator never claims this will work for everyone or that these products are scientifically proven. That restraint matters. But when 1.1 million people watch a video about "glowy skin" and "zero pores" on a 67-year-old, people draw conclusions. So let's look at what the evidence actually supports.

Does the science back this up?

Some of it, yes. Cold water facial immersion has real physiological effects, and sunscreen is about as close to an anti-aging intervention as dermatology gets. But "zero pores" is not a biological outcome. Pore size is largely genetic and structural. What changes is how visible they appear.

Cold water applied to skin causes transient vasoconstriction, which temporarily tightens the appearance of pores and reduces puffiness. This is a cosmetic effect, not a structural change. A 2017 review in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology confirmed that while temperature-based facial treatments can temporarily improve skin tone and texture, they do not alter follicle size or pore architecture permanently.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has a more robust evidence base. A 2017 randomized controlled trial by Telang (Dermatology Research and Practice) found that topical vitamin C improved skin brightness and reduced hyperpigmentation over 16 weeks. Yogurt contains lactic acid, a mild alpha-hydroxy acid with some evidence for gentle exfoliation (Tang et al., 2018, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology). Honey has antimicrobial and humectant properties, though clinical evidence for anti-aging effects is modest at best.

What did they get wrong (or right)?

The biggest issue is the claim of "zero pores." That is not how skin works. Pores do not disappear. They can appear smaller with consistent sun protection, hydration, and exfoliation, but claiming zero pores misleads viewers into thinking a visible result is achievable that simply is not anatomically possible. That framing sets unrealistic expectations.

What they got right is more substantial than you might expect. Daily exercise before skincare increases circulation and has documented benefits for skin health (Crane et al., 2015, Journal of Applied Physiology). Consistent SPF 50+ use is one of the most evidence-backed anti-aging behaviors available. The layering order, cleanser before actives before moisturizer, follows standard dermatological guidance.

The warm compress before masking as a "DIY steam" is not dangerous, but the benefit is mostly anecdotal. It may help product penetration slightly by softening the stratum corneum, but the effect size is unclear. The practice of discarding ice and splashing with ice-cold water rather than applying ice directly is actually sensible, as direct ice contact can cause capillary damage.

What should you actually know?

If you have dry skin and are interested in evidence-based skincare, this routine actually hits several real targets. Consistent SPF use, gentle exfoliation via lactic acid, and vitamin C for brightening are all supported by the literature. The cold-water rinse is harmless and temporarily satisfying.

What this routine cannot do is replicate genetics, decades of habit, or whatever skincare she was doing in her 30s and 40s that preceded this video. The creator mentions her mother started compresses "in her early 30s." That timeline matters enormously for outcomes at 67. One video about a current routine does not capture 35 years of skin decisions.

For people with very dry skin specifically, some caution is warranted with frequent masking and active ingredients. Overuse of actives on a compromised skin barrier can worsen dryness. If your skin is reactive, consult a dermatologist before layering vitamin C with frequent exfoliating masks, even gentle ones.

• Pore size is primarily genetic. No topical routine eliminates pores.
• Vitamin C serums have solid clinical evidence for brightness, not anti-aging broadly.
• SPF 50+ daily use is the single most supported anti-aging skin intervention available.
• Cold water reduces pore appearance transiently, not permanently.
• Lactic acid in yogurt is a real, mild exfoliant, but DIY concentrations vary unpredictably.