OtherPeptideEvidence C2 cited

Snap-8

Acetyl Octapeptide-3

aka SNAP-8 peptide · acetyl octapeptide-3 · INYRT octapeptide

Research investigates this octapeptide's ability to modulate SNARE complex activity and reduce facial expression line depth.

Molecular wt

1075.2g/mol

Formula

C41H70N16O16S

CAS

868844-74-0

PubChem

76283482

Sequence

One-letter8 residues

Ac-EEMQRRAD-NH2

Three-letter

Ac-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-Arg-Ala-Asp-NH2

Read this before quoting the sequence

N-acetylated, C-terminally amidated octapeptide; INCI name acetyl octapeptide-3. An elongated analogue of the SNAP-25 N-terminal fragment used in topical cosmetics.

Source ↗

Mechanism of action

Snap-8 is a peptide that interferes with the SNARE complex, a group of proteins responsible for muscle contraction. By inhibiting this complex, Snap-8 reduces the depth of muscle contractions, particularly in facial muscles. This action mimics the effect of botulinum toxin but is applied topically. The peptide works by modulating neurotransmitter release, leading to a temporary reduction in muscle activity.

What the evidence actually shows

Grade C

There are limited human trials specifically evaluating Snap-8. Some small-scale studies suggest it can reduce wrinkle depth, but these are often manufacturer-sponsored. More independent, large-scale clinical trials are needed to confirm efficacy and safety.

Regulatory status

Status

Cosmetic ingredient, not a medicine. Listed under the INCI name 'acetyl octapeptide-3'. No FDA or EMA drug approval.

Clinical stage

No registered drug clinical trials of Snap-8 as a single agent were identified.

research_compound

In the UK, Snap-8 is considered a research compound and is not approved for medical use by the MHRA.

Source ↗

Dosing — what backs each figure

Snap-8 (acetyl octapeptide-3 / acetyl glutamyl heptapeptide-1) is a cosmetic ingredient with no drug label and no dose-finding study. It appears in two published clinical cosmetic studies as one component of multi-ingredient hyaluronic acid microneedle patches (Ann Dermatol 2024;36(4):215-224 and J Cosmet Dermatol 2020;19(2):328-337), but neither discloses the peptide concentration, so no use level can be sourced.

Commonly circulatedNot established by any study

Dose: 3-10% concentration
Frequency: 1-2x daily

Why this isn't evidence
The 3-10% use level is an ingredient-supplier recommendation rather than a figure from any label or published study - neither of the two clinical studies located that actually used acetyl octapeptide-3 reports its concentration in the test article.

This figure is shown because it is what circulates and what people search for — not because it is supported. Cycle lengths in particular tend to be convention copied between compounds rather than anything derived from a compound's own pharmacokinetics.

No established human dose

No approved label or completed human trial establishes a dosing regimen for this compound. Anything presented as a standard protocol for it — anywhere — is someone's convention rather than a finding.

Handling and storage

No compound-specific stability data exists

No compound-specific stability data from an approved label or peer-reviewed stability study was located. Only generic research-peptide handling guidance exists, which is not compound-specific and is therefore not recorded here. Snap-8 is a cosmetic ingredient rather than a drug and has no regulatory label carrying stability data. General peptide handling still applies — reconstitute gently, keep it cold, keep it dark — but any specific figure you see quoted for this compound elsewhere is someone's assumption, not a measurement.

→ Reconstitution walkthrough → Reconstitution calculator

Safety

Commonly reported

·Mild skin irritation
·Redness at the application site

Rarely reported

·Severe allergic reaction

Contraindications

·Known allergy to peptides
·Open wounds or skin infections at the application site

Reported combinations

Reported as synergistic

·Hyaluronic acid
·Vitamin C

Combination claims in this dataset are largely unsourced and should be treated as folk knowledge until a citation appears beside them.

References (2)

Avcil M, Akman G, Klokkers J, Jeong D, Celik A (2020) Efficacy of bioactive peptides loaded on hyaluronic acid microneedle patches: A monocentric clinical study. ↗
Journal of Cosmetic DermatologyPMID 31134751DOI
12-week monocentric clinical study of hyaluronic acid microneedle patches whose formulation included acetyl octapeptide-3 (Snap-8) alongside arginine/lysine polypeptide, palmitoyl tripeptide-5, adenosine and seaweed extracts; fine lines/wrinkles decreased 25.8% and skin hydration improved 15.4%. Snap-8 was one component of a multi-ingredient product, so the effect cannot be attributed to it alone.
Shin JY, Han D, Yoon KY, et al. (2024) Clinical Safety and Efficacy Evaluation of a Dissolving Microneedle Patch Having Dual Anti-Wrinkle Effects With Safe and Long-Term Activities. ↗
Annals of DermatologyPMID 39082657DOI
Clinical evaluation of a dissolving microneedle patch with anti-wrinkle peptide actives. Again a multi-ingredient formulation rather than an isolated Snap-8 trial.

Data provenance

Chemistry and citations on this page were checked against primary sources on 2026-08-14. Values that could not be verified were left blank rather than filled with a plausible guess.

Could not verify
storage, reconstitution, regulatory.wada

Research use only

This profile is educational reference material. It is not medical advice, not a prescription, and not an endorsement of self-administration. Compounds discussed here are research chemicals and most are not approved for human therapeutic use.

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