# SNAP-8 (acetyl octapeptide-3)

Argireline's longer sibling, mostly DIY-mixed from peptide vials; users rarely see more than argireline.

- Page: https://peprank.xyz/peptides/snap-8
- Category: Skin & hair (Research peptide)
- Also known as: acetyl glutamyl heptapeptide-3; Ac-EEMQRRAD-NH2; SNAP-8 (Lipotec trade name; argireline extended by two amino acids)
- Routes: Topical
- Sequence: EEMQRRAD (N-acetyl, C-amide (acetyl octapeptide-3))
- Safety tier: Strict: Caution · Balanced: Clean · Evidence only: Clean
- Risk axes (0 none to 3 severe): Seen harm 0, Mechanism 0, Data gap 2, Silent harm 0, Product 2
- Positive: 45% of 12 graded reports glowing or positive, shrunk toward the 49% all-report average by 8 reports' weight
- Rank: #19 of 61 research peptides
- Graded reports: 12 (Positive 5, Mixed 1, Nothing 5, Negative 1)
- Evidence: Small human studies — manufacturer (Lipotec) claims of more wrinkle reduction than argireline; the only peer-reviewed human trial is a 24-person split-face study of a microneedle patch combining SNAP-8 with vitamin C and other actives, so SNAP-8's own effect is untested
- Access: Grey market
- Onset: Weeks; a few feel tingling on the first application
- Lasts: Hours per application; nothing persists after stopping
- Cost per month: ≈ €9–22 (researchers' estimate)
- Updated: 2026-10-30

## What users report

Almost all Reddit use is DIY: a 10 mg grey-market vial reconstituted and stirred into hyaluronic-acid serum or a moisturiser, usually alongside topical or injected GHK-Cu. About 40% report smoother, plumper skin and softer lines, one a tingly 'hard to move' forehead on first use, but nearly every positive report is stacked with GHK-Cu, red light or other peptides. Nearly half used it daily for two months or more and saw no Botox-like effect, often concluding the GHK-Cu did the work and that they won't reorder. Dryness from the bacteriostatic-water mix is the main complaint. Felt nothing: ~40% of reports (5/12).

**Effects:** smoother texture, plumper skin; softer fine lines; transient tingly, 'frozen' forehead in a few

**Downsides:** no visible effect for about half of users even after months; dryness (often blamed on bacteriostatic water/alcohol in DIY mixes); DIY concentration guesswork; little guidance on dose; grey-market vial identity uncertain (formulators say some 'SNAP-8' vials are argireline)

**Caveat:** The topical route has the same clean profile as argireline: a cosmetic SNARE-mimic peptide with negligible skin penetration and no harm signal. This verdict covers topical use only. The same grey-market vials are sometimes microneedled deep or injected (one report here), which brings vial sterility and endotoxin risks that are not part of this entry, and some forum users mix it with DMSO to push penetration, which is untested. Identity of 'research' vials is unverified.

**Typical use:** Community practice: 10 mg vial reconstituted in about 0.4-1 ml sterile water and mixed into 30 ml of a fragrance-free serum or cream (about 0.03%), applied once or twice daily; Lipotec's cosmetic grade is a 0.05% solution used at 3-10% of a formula.

**Getting it:** Sold mainly as 10-20 mg lyophilised 'research' vials by injectable-peptide vendors and mixed at home; a few finished cosmetic serums list acetyl octapeptide-3, and cosmetic-grade raw material is sold to DIY formulators.

**Stacked with:** GHK-Cu (topical) (The near-universal pairing; several users conclude the GHK-Cu did the visible work.); hyaluronic acid serum (Usual carrier for the reconstituted vial.); Argireline (Same mechanism; no reason to expect an additive effect.)

## Risk profile

- **Seen harm 0/3:** No adverse events in the two small published studies and none serious among first-hand reports; exposure is modest.
- **Mechanism 0/3:** A longer argireline analogue with the same weak SNARE mimicry and negligible skin penetration; no pathway to serious harm is known for topical use.
- **Data gap 2/3:** No CIR assessment; the only human data are two small microneedle-patch studies in which it was one of several actives.
- **Silent harm 0/3:** Dryness or irritation shows within days and clears on stopping.
- **Product 2/3:** Mostly grey-market 'research' vials mixed at home and applied to skin, of unverified identity (some reportedly argireline); injecting or microneedling it deep is outside this score.

## Top reports

- Positive, skin-hair, one vial reconstituted into face serum: “I reconstituted a vile and added to face serum. I also take 2mg of GHK-cu daily and use a red light for my face. Absolutely happy with results. Really helped with wrinkles. Not a miracle worker, but well worth the effort and money for me.” — [r/BodyHackGuide](https://www.reddit.com/r/BodyHackGuide/comments/1prxhiw/snap_8_experiments_lets_hear_them/ofpbh3n/)
- Positive, skin-hair, one vial from a peptide vendor: “It definitely works. My forehead felt tingly and hard to move for a while my first time LOL. I only recently developed some fine lines (thanks to recent events), so I am trying to let those relax away.” — [r/45PlusSkincare](https://www.reddit.com/r/45PlusSkincare/comments/1lh70uz/has_anyone_tried_snap8_thoughts/mzh5epv/)
- Positive, skin-hair, vial in 1 ml bacteriostatic water + 2 tbsp HA, into a collagen cream, twice daily: “I mix mine with hyaluronic acid in collagen cream and I love it, its not drastic or immediate and it takes a while before you can see the difference but with continuous twice a day usage you can see differences in smoothness, texture and plumpness” — [r/45PlusSkincare](https://www.reddit.com/r/45PlusSkincare/comments/1lh70uz/has_anyone_tried_snap8_thoughts/nvm7ciw/)
- Positive, skin-hair: “Tried it liked it better than airgirline but my hg is Apothe 11 peptide essence toner” — [r/45PlusSkincare](https://www.reddit.com/r/45PlusSkincare/comments/1lh70uz/has_anyone_tried_snap8_thoughts/mz26hdr/)
- Positive, skin-hair: “Yes I do this either I microneedle or inject the leftovers and still great results” — [r/DIYaesthetics](https://www.reddit.com/r/DIYaesthetics/comments/1mypbfq/has_anyone_microneedled_snap8/naqupej/)

## Cheapest in Europe

- [CertaPeptides](https://certapeptides.com/shop/snap-8-10mg) (RO): SNAP-8 10mg, €25, €2.55/mg
- [Europa-Peptide](https://europa-peptide.de/en/shop/snap-8-10mg/) (PL): SNAP-8 10mg, €37, €3.69/mg
- [Modern Peptides EU](https://modernpeptides.eu/product/snap-8/) (DE): Snap-8, €40, €4.00/mg
- [Amazon.fr](https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B08DYBQCG4/) (FR): APIS Hyaluron 4D serum with SNAP-8, 30 mL, €24 (also contains hyaluronic acid; contents not stated on the page)

## Studies

- [Shin et al., Clinical Safety and Efficacy Evaluation of a Dissolving Microneedle Patch Having Dual Anti-Wrinkle Effects With Safe and Long-Term Activities (Ann Dermatol 2024)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39082657/) (controlled, n=24, 2024): Overnight HA microneedle patch with acetyl octapeptide-3, ascorbyl glucoside and cyclic LPA vs HA-only patch on opposite eyes for 28 days: better eye-wrinkle scores, elasticity and lower TEWL, no adverse effects. A multi-ingredient product, not SNAP-8 alone.
- [Errante et al., Cosmeceutical Peptides in the Framework of Sustainable Wellness Economy (Front Chem 2020)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7662462/) (review, 2020): Describes SNAP-8 as a SNAP-25 mimic that competes for SNARE-complex formation like argireline; efficacy data are manufacturer-sourced.

## Sources

- [Lipotec SNAP-8 product information (COSSMA archive): 0.05% acetyl octapeptide-3 solution](https://www.cossma.com/fileadmin/all/cossma/Archiv/ProductInfo/COS1005_14_ProdSnap8.pdf)
- [r/45PlusSkincare: Has anyone tried Snap8? Thoughts?](https://www.reddit.com/r/45PlusSkincare/comments/1lh70uz/has_anyone_tried_snap8_thoughts/)