SNAP-8 (Acetyl Octapeptide-3)
SNAP-8 (Acetyl Octapeptide-3) is a synthetic, topically applied cosmetic peptide that is reported to reduce the appearance of expression lines by competitively interfering with SNARE-complex-mediated neurotransmitter release.
SNAP-8, known by its INCI name Acetyl Octapeptide-3, is a synthetic octapeptide developed by Lipotec (now part of Lubrizol) and positioned as an eight-residue elongation of the six-residue peptide argireline (acetyl hexapeptide-3/-8). It carries the sequence Ac-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-Arg-Ala-Asp-NH2 (N-terminally acetylated, C-terminally amidated) and is supplied as a research-grade powder or solution for topical cosmetic formulation work.
Mechanistically, acetyl octapeptide-3 is reported to mimic the N-terminal domain of SNAP-25 and to compete for its place in the SNARE complex, the protein assembly that drives vesicular release of neurotransmitters (such as acetylcholine) at the neuromuscular junction. By interfering with SNARE assembly it is proposed to dampen the muscle contractions that produce dynamic expression lines. Unlike botulinum toxin, which enzymatically cleaves SNAP-25 and produces prolonged paralysis, the peptide does not cleave SNAP-25; its described effect is comparatively weak and reversible.
Evidence is limited. Most efficacy and tolerability data — including frequently cited comparative claims of greater wrinkle reduction versus argireline — originate from manufacturer-sponsored in vitro and cosmetic-use studies and should be treated as marketing data rather than independent clinical proof. The compound is regulated and sold strictly as a topical cosmetic ingredient (EU CosIng ref. 54131); it is not a drug, is not FDA-approved as a medicine, and is not approved for any therapeutic or injectable use.
In laboratory and supplier models, acetyl octapeptide-3 is reported to mimic the N-terminal domain of the SNAP-25 protein and competitively interfere with assembly of the SNARE complex, the protein machinery that mediates vesicular release of neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction. By reducing SNARE-mediated exocytosis it is proposed to attenuate muscle contraction associated with dynamic expression lines; unlike botulinum toxin it does not cleave SNAP-25 and the effect is described as weaker and reversible.
- Human evidence
- Limited; mostly manufacturer-sponsored in vitro and small cosmetic-use studies
- Regulatory status
- Marketed as a cosmetic ingredient under the INCI name Acetyl Octapeptide-3 (EU CosIng ref. 54131); not a drug and NOT FDA-approved as a medicine. Developed by Lipotec (now part of Lubrizol). Used as a topical cosmetic active, not approved for any therapeutic or injectable use.
- Studied in vitro as a SNAP-25-mimetic probe of SNARE-complex assembly and neurotransmitter exocytosis.
- Investigated as a topical cosmetic active for the appearance of dynamic expression lines in formulation/penetration research.
- Used as a comparator against acetyl hexapeptide-3 (argireline) in structure-activity and competitive-inhibition studies.
- Regulated and sold as a topical cosmetic ingredient, not as a drug or injectable; no medicine-grade safety or efficacy approval exists (sources: INCI/CosIng listings, SpecialChem).
- Independent clinical evidence is sparse; most efficacy and tolerability data come from manufacturer-sponsored in vitro and cosmetic-use studies (INCIDecoder, supplier literature).
- Activity is mechanistically tied to neurotransmitter-release inhibition; comparative claims (e.g. ~30% greater wrinkle reduction vs. argireline) derive from vendor head-to-head studies and should be treated as unverified marketing data.
- Research-grade powders and solutions are not subject to pharmaceutical purity controls; identity, concentration, and contaminants can vary between suppliers.
- [1]PubChem Compound — Acetyl Octapeptide-3 (CID 76283482)PubChem
- [2]Acetyl Octapeptide-3 — INCI ingredient profileSpecialChem (INCI)
- [3]Acetyl Octapeptide-3 (explained) — INCIDecoderINCIDecoder
- [4]Acetyl Octapeptide-3 (CAS 868844-74-0) — Cayman ChemicalCayman Chemical