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Part of the skin and hair peptide hub: every topical and cosmetic peptide we cover, with its evidence grade.

Evidence: LowPeptide supplement Cosmetic & Skin

Acetyl Octapeptide-3

also known as: SNAP-8, Super Argireline

The 'Super Argireline' — an extended SNAP-25 fragment peptide that reduces expression wrinkles without injections.

An 8-amino-acid acetylated peptide that inhibits SNARE complex assembly at the neuromuscular junction, reducing muscle contraction and expression wrinkles — marketed as a more potent topical alternative to Argireline.

Mechanism of action

Mimics the SNAP-25 protein's N-terminal domain, competitively inhibiting SNARE complex formation required for acetylcholine vesicle release at the neuromuscular junction. Reduces muscle contraction magnitude — a topical 'botox-like' mechanism.

SNAP-8 is the trade name under which this same octapeptide is sold. Both names describe one molecule, with one formula and one PubChem record (CID 76283482), so this entry covers both, and the former SNAP-8 page now leads here.

Primary uses

  • Expression wrinkle reduction
  • Topical alternative to botulinum toxin
  • Anti-aging serums and creams

Typical dosing

No sourced amount

The concentrations in circulation come from the ingredient's supplier, and a seller's figure is not a source on this site; no study in the sources read sets one.

Regulatory status

Cosmetic ingredient (Lipotec SNAP-8). Not FDA-approved as a drug. Positioned as second-generation Argireline with two extra amino acids for enhanced SNARE inhibition.

Status as of this entry's last review, April 21, 2026. Approvals, compounding rules and sport rules change; the regulatory tracker is checked more often.

What we checked

Acetyl octapeptide-3, sold as SNAP-8, is Argireline's sequence with two more amino acids. Its only published human data are multi-ingredient patch studies, covered on our Argireline vs SNAP-8 page; this section records what can be checked.

Identity, computed

SequenceAc-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-Arg-Ala-Asp-NH2 (Ac-EEMQRRAD-NH2)
FormulaC41H70N16O16S
Average mass1075.17 g/mol
Monoisotopic mass1074.4876 Da
Isoelectric point4.34 (net charge -1.0 at pH 7)

Ac-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-Arg-Ala-Asp-NH2; the calculator agrees with the dataset's formula and mass. This entry also carries the former SNAP-8 address, merged here.

Regulatory status, read October 5, 2026

Drugs@FDA: 0 records for “acetyl octapeptide-3”. EMA medicines list: 0 records for “acetyl octapeptide-3”. Run for semaglutide, the same queries return 6 and 5 records (and the registry search 84 trials), so a zero here is an absence, not a broken search. Not named on the WADA 2026 and 2027 Prohibited Lists. As a substance with no current approval for human therapeutic use, it falls under section S0 (non-approved substances), which is prohibited at all times; the lists were read on September 27, 2026.

What the maker or sellers claim

Claim, from the ingredient's maker and cosmetic sellers: It is a stronger 'super Argireline' that relaxes expression lines. No published head-to-head study supports 'stronger'.

About Argireline, its shorter relative

Argireline (acetyl hexapeptide-8) is copied from the SNAP-25 protein that nerve endings use to release acetylcholine; its developers' 2002 study, cited in References, is the starting point for both peptides.

What we looked for and did not find

No published trial of acetyl octapeptide-3 on its own, no registry record and no drug application.

SourceQueryResults, October 5, 2026What it was
PubMed"acetyl octapeptide-3"2
PubMed"acetyl octapeptide 3" microneedle2
ClinicalTrials.govacetyl octapeptide-30
Drugs@FDA (openFDA)acetyl octapeptide-30
EMA medicines listacetyl octapeptide-30

References

  1. [review] Blanes-Mira C, et al. "A synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) with antiwrinkle activity." Int J Cosmet Sci. 2002;24(5):303-310. PMID: 18498523.

Related peptides

Argireline

A cosmetic-industry hexapeptide marketed as "topical Botox" — reduces muscle contraction signaling at the neuromuscular junction; modest but documented effects on expression-line depth.

Leuphasyl

A cosmetic-ingredient pentapeptide modeled on leucine-enkephalin — marketed by Lipotec as a post-synaptic adjunct to Argireline-class pre-synaptic peptides for expression-line reduction.

Pentapeptide-3

Vialox — the "curare-mimetic" cosmetic peptide (GPRPA). Acts post-synaptically on peripheral nicotinic ACh receptors, unlike the pre-synaptic SNAP-25-mimetic Argireline class. Sometimes marketed as a snake-venom-inspired Botox alternative; efficacy data are primarily from the manufacturer.

Syn-Ake

A "snake-venom mimetic" cosmetic tripeptide modeled on Waglerin-1 (Tropidolaemus wagleri venom) — blocks post-synaptic acetylcholine receptors rather than acting pre-synaptically like Argireline; modest reductions in expression-line depth in manufacturer studies.

Botulinum Toxin

A bacterial toxin that cleaves SNAP-25 to silence nerve endings: approved for migraine, bladder, spasticity and more, under a boxed warning.

Guides & tools

Disclaimer

This entry is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Dosing information reflects published regulatory or research data and is not a recommendation. Many compounds described here are not approved for human use in the United States. Consult a licensed medical professional before considering any peptide therapy.