AHK-Cu vs Snap-8
Side-by-side comparison of AHK-Cu and Snap-8: mechanism, half-life, dose range, safety profile, and vendor pricing.
Price snapshot
AHK-Cu
Snap-8
AHK-Cu
AHK-Cu (Ala-His-Lys-Copper) is a copper chelating tripeptide related to but distinct from GHK-Cu (Gly-His-Lys-Copper). Where GHK-Cu is the most-studied copper peptide and naturally occurs in human plasma, AHK-Cu is a…
Lowest listed price: $44.99 across 5 listings
Full AHK-Cu profileSnap-8
Snap-8 (INCI: Acetyl Glutamyl Heptapeptide-1) is a synthetic octapeptide designed as an analog of the N-terminal fragment of synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25), which is the molecular target of botulinum…
Lowest listed price: $34.99 across 4 listings
Full Snap-8 profileSide-by-side comparison
| Attribute | AHK-Cu | Snap-8 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Skin & Hair | Skin & Hair |
| Research Stage | Preclinical | Preclinical |
| Mechanism of Action | AHK-Cu delivers bioavailable copper ions to follicular and dermal tissues. Copper acts as a cofactor for lysyl oxidase (collagen/elastin crosslinking), superoxide dismutase (antioxidant), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling. The tripeptide… | Snap-8 (INCI Acetyl Octapeptide-3; CAS 868844-74-0) is a synthetic octapeptide, Ac-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-Arg-Ala-Asp-NH2, whose sequence mimics the N-terminal domain of SNAP-25. SNAP-25, together with Syntaxin-1 and VAMP/synaptobrevin, forms the SNARE complex… |
| Half-Life | Unknown (topical half-life, follicular retention not well characterized) | Not characterized (topical peptide) |
| Typical Dose Range | — | — |
| Dosing Frequency | once_daily | twice_daily |
| Administration | Topical, Subcutaneous, Intradermal | Topical |
| Side Effects | — | Topical use at cosmetic concentrations is generally well tolerated. The most commonly reported effects are mild, transient local reactions such as erythema, tightness, dryness, or stinging, usually at higher concentrations or on sensitive/periocular skin.… |
| Molecular Weight | Free peptide (AHK): 354.41 Da (C15H26N6O4). Copper complex (AHK-Cu): 415.9 Da (C15H24CuN6O4, neutral 1:1 Cu(II) complex - Cu(II) displaces two protons from the tripeptide ligand). | 1075.16 g/mol |
| Common Vial Sizes | 50, 100 | 10 |
Price History
2 data points- Ion Peptide
- Disguised Alpha
Price History
3 data points- Ion Peptide
- OF
- Disguised Alpha
AHK-Cu: potential benefits
- Hair follicle stimulation — activates anagen phase via Wnt/β-catenin in dermal papilla cells
- Reduction of follicle miniaturization in androgenetic alopecia models
- Enhanced scalp vascularity via VEGF upregulation
- Wound healing acceleration — copper cofactor for lysyl oxidase and collagen maturation
- Synergistic with GHK-Cu in multi-peptide scalp formulations
Snap-8: potential benefits
- Reduction of dynamic expression wrinkles (forehead, crow's feet, glabellar lines)
- SNARE complex interference — partial, reversible neuromuscular inhibition
- Topical alternative research model for neuromuscular relaxation without injected toxin
- Cosmetic peptide compounding research — high-purity raw powder applications
- Synergy with Argireline (Acetyl Hexapeptide-3) in SNARE-targeting formulations
Frequently asked
What's the difference between AHK-Cu and Snap-8?
AHK-Cu is a skin & hair that ahk-cu delivers bioavailable copper ions to follicular and dermal tissues. copper acts as a cofactor for lysyl oxidase (collagen/elastin crosslinking), superoxide dismutase…. Snap-8 is a skin & hair that snap-8 (inci acetyl octapeptide-3; cas 868844-74-0) is a synthetic octapeptide, ac-glu-glu-met-gln-arg-arg-ala-asp-nh2, whose sequence mimics the n-terminal domain of snap-25.…. The two differ in mechanism, half-life (Unknown (topical half-life, follicular retention not well characterized) vs Not characterized (topical peptide)), and typical dose range.
Which has the longer half-life, AHK-Cu or Snap-8?
AHK-Cu has a half-life of Unknown (topical half-life, follicular retention not well characterized). Snap-8 has a half-life of Not characterized (topical peptide). Longer half-lives generally mean less frequent dosing but slower on/off kinetics.
Which is cheaper, AHK-Cu or Snap-8?
Lowest listed price on BodyHackGuide: AHK-Cu from $44.99, Snap-8 from $34.99. Prices are pulled from the vendor listings tracked on BHG and change frequently. See the compare tables on each compound page for the current set of offers.
Can you stack AHK-Cu and Snap-8?
Stacking depends on mechanism overlap, safety profile, and goals. AHK-Cu and Snap-8 should only be stacked after reviewing each compound's individual protocol page, side effect profile, and any published interaction data. Use the BodyHackGuide stack builder for a structured review before combining research compounds.
See current vendor prices
Listings from the vendors we track. Prices change often, so check the vendor before you buy.
Before you buy AHK-Cu or Snap-8
Check the vendor trust score. Every supplier we track is rated 0-100 on COA verification, payment transparency, shipping, reviews, and listings: one published, reproducible methodology, applied to every vendor.
Related comparisons
Research use only. BodyHackGuide is a research and price-comparison reference. The compounds discussed on this page are not approved by the FDA for human consumption and are sold strictly for laboratory research. Prices shown are pulled from vendor listings tracked on BHG and are subject to change. We earn an affiliate commission on some outbound clicks, and every vendor is ranked on the same public, reproducible methodology. See editorial standards and affiliate disclosure.