Snap-8
Snap-8 is a synthetic octapeptide studied in cosmetic research for its interaction with the same pathway as botulinum-based products.
Also known as: Acetyl octapeptide-3
Research context
- Studied as a topical alternative in cosmetic research.
- Commonly found in premium skincare formulations.
- Single 10mg presentation.
Snap-8
from £9.35 per vial
| Strength | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| 10mg | £9.35bank £8.41 | Buy vial |
Bank transfer prices shown under each card price (10% off). Checkout runs on Stripe; bank orders confirm on clearance.
Related compounds
What is Snap-8?
Snap-8 (acetyl octapeptide-3, also listed as SNAP-8) is a synthetic eight-amino-acid chain that cosmetic research has examined for how it interacts with the SNARE proteins involved in muscle contraction — the same pathway that botulinum-based products act on. The studied effect is a reduction in dynamic expression lines on the face, particularly the forehead, brow area and around the eyes. It is the reason you will find it in a large number of premium "botox-like" topical products sold in the UK and US.
Unlike the injectables, research-grade Snap-8 is a dry powder intended for topical or local use in a reconstituted form. Most of the published cosmetic work uses it in finished cream or serum formulations at concentrations of roughly 5% — so a 10 mg vial is commonly used to make a small batch of finished product rather than applied from the vial alone. Our vials are supplied as the plain research chemical, with batch documentation, so you control the formulation.
How it sits in the skin, hair & tan category
Peptide Supply Guy splits its catalogue into growth-hormone, recovery, longevity, weight-loss and skin, hair & tan. Snap-8 is a core skin product. The usual pairings we see in UK orders:
- GHK-Cu — the copper tripeptide for remodelling; often combined with Snap-8 in a full-face topical protocol (GHK-Cu in the day, Snap-8 in the evening).
- Epitalon — longevity researchers who also run a skin protocol.
- PT-141 and Melanotan II — the rest of the skin, hair & tan line.
Snap-8 versus the injectables, versus the other "botox-like" topicals
| Snap-8 (topical) | Botulinum toxin A (injectable) | Argireline (topical) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanism studied | SNARE / SNAP-25 interaction, expression reduction | Cleavage of SNARE proteins | Inhibits SNAP-25 release (different binding site) |
| Typical studied effect | Moderate softening of dynamic lines | Strong, targeted muscle relaxation | Mild, upper-line focus |
| Form here | 10 mg dry powder, research use | Not sold here | Common in finished creams; also sold as powder elsewhere |
| Price at PSG | £9.35 per 10 mg vial (bank £8.41) | — | — |
Research positioning only: the comparison reflects how the compounds are characterised in the cosmetic literature and in product formulations, not a clinical claim about any product we supply.
Handling & reconstitution
- Storage: keep the sealed vial refrigerated (2–8 °C) in the dark; the powder is stable sealed, the reconstituted solution is best used within a month refrigerated.
- Reconstitution: standard practice for a topical is bacteriostatic water or, for finished-product making, the formulation base. A 10 mg vial into 2 mL gives a 5 mg/mL working solution.
- Use pattern in cosmetic research: applied topically to clean, dry skin in the evening; most protocols run 8–12 weeks before an assessment. It is not a wash-off product.
- Not for: injection in our supply terms, ophthalmic use, or broken skin unless your protocol says so.
Ordering
Card checkout runs on Stripe and the vial ships in UK tracked dispatch from our London warehouse; bank transfer prices (10% off) confirm on clearance. Every vial comes from a documented batch — the COA and lab policy live at our COA page, and delivery times at delivery & payment. Multi-vial and stack orders can be arranged via contact.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between Snap-8 and Argireline?
Both are studied as topical alternatives to botulinum-based products, but they act at different points: Snap-8 (acetyl octapeptide-3) targets SNAP-25 release in the SNARE complex, while Argireline (acetyl hexapeptide-8) blocks vesicle docking. Formulation-wise they are often combined, because they do not compete for the same site. We currently stock Snap-8; Argireline comes and goes with batch availability.
How much do I need for a facial application protocol?
Most published cosmetic protocols use about 5% (w/v) in the finished product. A 10 mg vial therefore supports roughly 2 mL of 5% working solution — enough for a small batch of finished serum. For a straight "mix and apply from the vial" approach, most people reconstitute into 1–2 mL of bacteriostatic water and use a small amount per application. Research context, not a prescription.
Do you sell it in a finished cream?
No — PSG supplies the research-grade peptide, and you (or your formulator) make the finished product. That is the same model as the rest of our catalogue, and it is why the vials are per-mg priced against what a cream would cost per milligram of active.
Can I mix Snap-8 with GHK-Cu?
They are chemically compatible in standard cosmetic buffers (pH ~5–6) and are combined in commercial products, which is why the two pages are linked. If you are making a combined topical, reconstitute each peptide separately and combine at working concentration. Research guidance, not a formulation manual.
How is Snap-8 supplied and shipped?
Sealed glass vial, 10 mg, in a refrigerated UK tracked dispatch with batch documentation. Card payment via Stripe; bank transfer at 10% off. Delivery and returns at delivery & payment.
Is Snap-8 the same as "botox in a bottle"?
Marketing shorthand, not chemistry. The shared pathway is real — it is the SNARE mechanism — but a topical peptide cannot reproduce the depth of effect an injectable achieves. What the research supports is a milder, topical route for dynamic-line softening, which is exactly the niche the finished products with 5% Snap-8 are sold for.