SNAP-8
What it’s used for
SNAP-8 (acetyl octapeptide-3) is a cosmetic peptide used in serums and creams for expression lines like forehead lines and crow's feet. It's thought to dampen nerve-signal release, but it isn't equivalent to injected botulinum toxin. Human evidence is one small 28-day trial of a microneedle patch that combined it with other actives, so its own effect is unclear.
- Expression lines Small human studies Used for forehead lines and crow's feet. A patch combining it with other actives improved measured skin outcomes in a small trial.
- Hydration & prevention Community reports Also used for skin hydration and to help prevent lines from forming.
What to expect
- Week 1
Little visible change
- Weeks 2–3
Fine-line changes reported
- Weeks 4–8
Visible effects reported
- 2–4 weeks after stopping
Effects reportedly fade
Side effects & safety
Side effects
- Skin irritation, redness, burning or sensitivity
- Changes in skin pigmentation
Stop and get help if
- Irritation that doesn't go away, or skin getting worse
- Signs of an allergic reaction
- Eye irritation or vision changes
Which symptoms mean call 911 or see a doctor
Avoid or check first if
- Pregnant or breastfeeding — there isn't enough evidence on safety
- Injecting it — cosmetic patch findings don't show injection is safe
In sport
No ruling under WADA’s rules. A cosmetic anti-wrinkle peptide never approved as a drug. S0’s wording could reach it, but USADA says most cosmetic peptides aren’t prohibited, and nobody has ruled on SNAP-8.
Which peptides are banned in sport
How much people take
- General anti-aging 2× daily · Topical serum/cream 3–5% concentration
- Intensive wrinkle treatment 2× daily · Targeted application or Direct application 5–10% concentration
- Eye area treatment 2× daily · Eye cream/serum 3–5% concentration
- Preventive use 1–2× daily · Daily moisturizer 3% concentration
- Combined peptide protocol 2× daily · Multi-peptide serum 3–5% with other peptides
Similar doses appear in 3 other sources
In studies & labels
- Periocular cosmetic outcomes Overnight application; detailed frequency not stated in abstract · Topical microneedle patch · 28 days Results apply to the combined formulation. Multi-ingredient patch; isolated peptide dose not stated in abstract
How to store it
How many units do I draw?
Fridge · 4°C Solution refrigerated at 4°C (39.2°F); powder at room temperature in a cool, dark place
Ready to use
The topical form doesn’t need mixing.
Is it OK to use?
Good signs
- Clear, colorless solution
Don’t use if
- Cloudy or discolored solution
- Strong odor or unusual smell
Combining it with others
AI assessment Based on how each compound works, not on studies of the combination. How we assess
Can be combined 5
What the research says
Few human studies
- The one human trial used a patch that also held a vitamin-C derivative and cyclic lysophosphatidic acid, so SNAP-8's own effect is unknown.
- No side effects were reported in 24 people over 28 days, which can't rule out rare or long-term effects.
- Results for Argireline, a different peptide, don't automatically apply to SNAP-8.
- Listed strengths (3–10%) may refer to a supplier premix rather than pure peptide.
- The 'up to 63%' wrinkle figure isn't a typical result.
- Cosmetic mixtures vary in stability, and how well it gets through skin is unclear.
- The trial doesn't confirm the safety of other serum strengths or the purity of separately bought products.
What studies found
- Combined microneedle patch The active patch improved measured skin outcomes and had no reported adverse effects. It also contained a vitamin-C derivative and cyclic lysophosphatidic acid, so SNAP-8’s contribution is unresolved.
A half-life hasn’t been verified for this compound.
What it’s made of
- Length
- 8 amino acids
- Molecular weight
- 1,075.16 Da
- Formula
- Not verified
Sequence 8 · N → C
- E
- E
- M
- Q
- R
- R
- A
- D
Identity as reported in peptide guides; exact-product sequence and modifications have not been independently confirmed.
Sequence and formulation must be confirmed for the exact material; similarly named products are not necessarily interchangeable.
Length and weight come from a reference listing and were not independently confirmed.
Sources
Sources 12
How this page was made
How it may work: Proposed interference with SNAP-25/SNARE-mediated neurotransmitter release; skin delivery limits interpretation.
Other names: Acetyl octapeptide-3
Preparation in studies: A product-specific preparation or sterility protocol has not been verified.
“Up to 63%” is not a typical expected result. Pairing/timing labels are not universal formulation rules.
Research last checked: Oct 12, 2026 (a targeted search, not a full review).
Community doses, how long people take it, timing and storage are compiled with AI from public peptide guides, clinics and forums, cross-checked against other sources where we could, and rewritten in plain language. “Combining it with others” is an AI assessment of how the compounds work. Study notes are written from each paper’s abstract where one exists. How we source
Original source guide