Snap-8 NP8
Acetyl octapeptide
Cosmetic name for acetyl octapeptide-3, a synthetic peptide resembling the N-terminal end of SNAP-25, proposed to reduce neurotransmitter release.
Evidence level. Evidence is mostly cell-based, cosmetic-ingredient data, or otherwise limited. About the badges
- Class
- Acetyl octapeptide
- Category
- Skin, Hair & Cosmetic
- Type
- Single compound
- Abbreviation
- NP8
- Development and regulatory status
- Cosmetic ingredient; no drug approval
What researchers study
Snap-8 is the cosmetic name for acetyl octapeptide-3, a synthetic peptide described as resembling the N-terminal end of SNAP-25, a SNARE-complex protein. Its proposed action, inferred by analogy with acetyl hexapeptide-8, is reduced neurotransmitter release at the neuromuscular junction.
Research areas
- SNARE complex assembly assays in vitro
- Neuromuscular-signalling models of expression lines
- Topical anti-wrinkle formulation testing
- Skin-penetration studies of cosmetic peptides
Reported findings
Summaries of published results. Each one is tagged with the type of study behind it. They describe research outcomes and are not claims about any product. Why study type matters.
- human trial
A 2024 split-face study of 24 subjects tested a microneedle patch containing acetyl octapeptide-3 plus other actives, so effects cannot be attributed to the peptide alone
- review
A 2026 review noted that controlled cosmetic-peptide trials are often small, short, industry-sponsored or multi-ingredient
- literature search
No independent peer-reviewed study of Snap-8 alone was located
Studied alongside
Compounds that appear together in research because their mechanisms complement each other, or as comparators. The reasons given are research reasoning, not recommendations for use.
- Botulinum ToxinEnzymatic SNARE cleavage contrasts with the peptide's proposed competitive mechanism
- MatrixylMatrix-signalling cosmetic peptide studied alongside neuromodulatory peptides in aesthetic research
