Acetyl octapeptide-3
An 8-amino-acid cosmetic peptide, an extended version of Argireline, marketed to soften expression lines.
Sport status follows the WADA Prohibited List in force since January 1, 2026; athletes should confirm with their anti-doping organization. Checked October 5, 2026.
Supplier data
Manufacturer test: cream containing about 50 ppm peptide, twice daily for 28 days.
Finished products contain about 15–50 ppm peptide. The common “3–10%” figure means 3–10% of a dilute 0.05% supplier solution, not pure powder.
Continuous, shown over 26 weeks
The ways SNAP-8 is most often run, each tagged with where it comes from.
The supplier solution is only 0.05% peptide. It’s added to a finished product at cool-down (below 40°C), never used neat.
Supplier-reported, not peer-reviewed: eye-wrinkle severity fell by up to 63% (a best case, not the average).
Applied to clean skin over expression lines, such as around the eyes and forehead. Topical only; never inject it.
Nothing special. Skip it and use the next application as usual.
Manufacturer test: wrinkles around the eyes up to 63% less severe. Supplier data only.
TrialWhen most users judge results. Independent human data are lacking.
CommunitySkin irritation or redness
Patch-test first. Stop if it doesn’t settle.
Stronger irritation from using the supplier solution neat
The supplier says not to apply it directly; add it to a product at 3–10%.
Eye irritation
Keep it out of the eyes. Rinse with water if it gets in.
Stop and see a doctor for a spreading rash, swelling, blistering or hives, or eye pain after contact.
Usually run on its own.
2 key published human studies, with how many people took part. Animal studies aren’t listed here.
All eye-wrinkle roughness measures improved more on the active side than the placebo side at day 28 (p<0.05), with no side effects. SNAP-8’s own share can’t be separated.
Shin et al., Ann Dermatol 2024, PMID 39082657 (most authors work for the patch maker)
Fine lines fell 25.8% and skin hydration rose 15.4% from baseline, with no skin reactions. Multi-ingredient patch, so SNAP-8’s effect can’t be isolated.
Avcil et al., J Cosmet Dermatol 2020, PMID 31134751
SNAP-8 is used on the skin, so the math is a dilution, not a syringe dose.
| Powder | Serum volume | Strength | Percent | ppm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mg | 20 mL | 0.5 mg/mL | 0.05% | 500 ppm |
| 10 mg | 50 mL | 0.2 mg/mL | 0.02% | 200 ppm |
| 10 mg | 100 mL | 0.1 mg/mL | 0.01% | 100 ppm |
| 10 mg | 200 mL | 0.05 mg/mL | 0.005% | 50 ppm |
10 mg in about 200 mL of serum gives roughly 50 ppm, the top of the commercial range.
An 8-amino-acid cosmetic peptide, an extended version of Argireline, marketed to soften expression lines.
Not approved as a drug in the US or EU; used as a cosmetic ingredient.
From human studies (Supplier data): Manufacturer test: cream containing about 50 ppm peptide, twice daily for 28 days. From community reports, not established: Finished products contain about 15–50 ppm peptide. The common “3–10%” figure means 3–10% of a dilute 0.05% supplier solution, not pure powder. These are the amounts sources reference, not recommendations.
Before mixing: Freezer (about −20 °C) for long-term storage, kept dry. After mixing: Fridge (2–8 °C); use within about 4 weeks. The supplier keeps its ready-made 0.05% solution at 4 °C (39 °F). This is common practice; no product label covers it.
No. Not named on the 2026 list. USADA lists other topical cosmetic peptides, such as hexapeptide-5 and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, as not prohibited.
Yes. The human studies section lists 2 published studies. Among them, from 2024: All eye-wrinkle roughness measures improved more on the active side than the placebo side at day 28 (p<0.05), with no side effects. SNAP-8’s own share can’t be separated.
No primary source establishes a dose for this compound. The ranges above reflect community reports.
Doses tagged Community come from public dosing guides and user reports, checked against at least two of them. Those sites aren’t named here because many of them sell peptides or earn commissions on them.