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Acetyl Hexapeptide-8

Status: Cosmetic ingredient
Evidence: Small human cosmetic trials, graded on the Peptides for Skin bench

Reviewed 25 October 2026

01Overview

What Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 is

Its amino acid sequence (Ac-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-Arg-NH2) mimics the N-terminal fragment of SNAP-25 — the same molecular target as Snap-8 but as a hexapeptide rather than octapeptide. Argireline is the most widely studied and commercially established topical anti-wrinkle peptide, with multiple in vitro and clinical trials demonstrating reduction in expression wrinkle depth of 17–48% at concentrations of 5–10%. It is commonly used in cosmetic compounding research in high-purity powder form for custom formulation.

How it works

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (Argireline) is patterned after the N-terminal domain of SNAP-25 and behaves as a competitive mimic of that protein during SNARE complex assembly. The SNARE complex (SNAP-25 + Syntaxin-1 + VAMP/synaptobrevin) is required for synaptic-vesicle docking and fusion, which drives acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction (and catecholamine release from neurosecretory cells in the original mechanistic work). By interfering with formation of the ternary SNARE complex, the peptide is proposed to reduce neurotransmitter release and dampen contraction of facial expression muscles (e.g., orbicularis oculi, frontalis, corrugator), softening the depth and frequency of dynamic wrinkles. The effect is presented as reversible and dose-dependent - unlike botulinum toxin type A, which proteolytically cleaves SNAP-25 until the protein is resynthesized, this peptide does not enzymatically destroy SNARE proteins. Important caveat: most mechanistic data are in vitro/ex vivo, and topical skin-penetration studies show the peptide remains largely in the stratum corneum, so how much reaches facial muscle in vivo is uncertain.

Benefits listed

Targets dynamic expression wrinkles - forehead, glabellar, and periorbital (crow's feet) lines
Proposed to reduce facial neuromuscular signaling by destabilizing the ternary SNARE complex (acts as a SNAP-25 N-terminal mimic)
A randomized, placebo-controlled human study reported ~49% subjective improvement in periorbital wrinkles vs 0% for placebo over 4 weeks (small evidence base) [PMID: 23417317]
Marketed as a topical 'Botox alternative' - reversible mechanism, not a neurotoxin, with no botulinum-type systemic risk

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Supplied as a raw cosmetic-compounding powder for research/formulation use (verify purity via HPLC COA)
Commonly combined with related peptides (e.g., Acetyl Octapeptide-3 / Snap-8) in anti-wrinkle formulations

02Research

Free with email

What the research shows

Graded on a research bench

Reference pages that put Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 next to the compounds people pair it with: roles, evidence, overlap and conflicts. No dosing. Research use only.

Peptides for SkinSmall human cosmetic trialshuman data on 4 of 6 compounds on the bench

Key research findings

Human evidence for Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (Argireline) comes from small topical cosmetic studies rather than drug-scale trials. In a randomized, placebo-controlled study, 60 subjects applied argireline or placebo (3:1) to peri-orbital wrinkles twice daily for 4 weeks; the treatment group showed 48.9% subjective anti-wrinkle efficacy versus 0% for placebo, and objective skin-roughness parameters were significantly reduced with argireline (p<0.01) but not with placebo (p>0.05) [PMID: 23417317]. An FDA in vitro study of a 10% Ac-EEMQRR-amide (acetyl hexapeptide-8) cosmetic emulsion found the peptide remained almost entirely in the stratum corneum (~0.2-0.5% of the applied dose), with none detected in the dermis or in receptor fluid beneath the skin - indicating minimal deep or systemic penetration at cosmetic doses [PMID: 24754410]. Public and consumer interest in the ingredient as a topical 'Botox alternative' has risen sharply, but direct head-to-head efficacy versus botulinum toxin has not been demonstrated [PMID: 38376906]. Overall the evidence base is limited (small samples, mostly short-term, some industry-linked); larger, independent, long-term trials are lacking. Topical cosmetic / research use only - not an FDA-approved drug.

On PubMed

The search Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 on PubMed.

Browse studies on PubMed

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A summary of the key research
A link to the PubMed results

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03Safety

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 side effects and interactions

Side effects

Common

Well tolerated in clinical cosmetic literature
Mild transient erythema at high concentrations

Serious events

No systemic adverse events at topical cosmetic doses
Not for injection use

Interactions

Not in our record

Our record lists no interactions for Acetyl Hexapeptide-8. That means none are recorded here, not that none exist.

This interaction data is compiled from published research and community reports. It may not be exhaustive. Always consult a healthcare professional before combining compounds.

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04Dosing

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Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 dosage and protocols

Dosing: Twice daily

Dosing summary

Route: Topical
Frequency: Twice daily

Topical cosmetic use only - not injected or taken systemically. Typically formulated at roughly 5-10% in a cosmetic serum or cream base and applied twice daily. Raw peptide powder is dissolved in water or propylene glycol and incorporated into the base at the target concentration. Published human cosmetic studies used twice-daily topical application over about 4 weeks. Reported concentrations and effect sizes come from small studies and manufacturer guidance; independent long-term efficacy data are limited. Research / cosmetic-formulation use only.

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Route and how often

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05Prices

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 prices

1 listing from 1 vendor, opening in the Featured order.

Pack prices: $129.00
Lowest per mg: $0.129/mg
Vendors: 1
Listings: 1 (powder)

Prices as the vendors list them, last recorded 22 April 2026.

Form

Sort

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 listings, in Featured order
Vendor	Product	Price	Buy
Ion Peptide	Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 Raw 1g powder, 1g In stock	$0.129/mg $129.00 Lowest per mg	Buy Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 Raw 1g at Ion Peptide

Vendors selling Acetyl Hexapeptide-8(1: trust score, certificates, payment, shipping)

Ion Peptide1 listing, from $129.00

Trust Score 70/100, no certificate records on file, pays by card, crypto, ACH, ships to the US, international destinations

Every supplier above is graded 0 to 100 on COA verification, payment transparency, shipping, reviews, and active listings. Methodology published, no pay-to-rank. How we score these vendors

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06Chemistry

Chemistry and structure

Molecular mass: 888.99 g/mol
Amino acid sequence: Ac-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-Arg-NH2 (Ac-EEMQRR-NH2); N-terminally acetylated, C-terminally amidated synthetic hexapeptide patterned after the N-terminal domain of SNAP-25
Half-life: Short (topical application, no systemic absorption at cosmetic doses)

08Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 used for in research?

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (INCI: Acetyl Hexapeptide-3 in older nomenclature, commercially known as Argireline) is a synthetic hexapeptide designed as a competitive inhibitor of the SNARE complex at the neuromuscular junction. Its amino acid sequence (Ac-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-Arg-NH2) mimics the N-terminal fragment of SNAP-25 — the same molecular target as Snap-8 but as a hexapeptide rather than octapeptide. Argireline is the most widely studied and commercially established topical anti-wrinkle peptide, with multiple in vitro and clinical trials demonstrating reduction in expression wrinkle depth of 17–48% at concentrations of 5–10%. It is commonly used in cosmetic compounding research in high-purity powder form for custom formulation.

What forms does Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 come in?

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 is available in powder form.

How do I compare Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 vendors?

Compare prices, payment methods, shipping, and COA scores across 1 vendor.

How many vendors sell Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, and what does it cost per mg?

1 of the vendors BodyHackGuide tracks list Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (1 listing). Among BodyHackGuide's Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 listings recorded as in stock with a milligram count, the lowest price per milligram is $0.129/mg at Ion Peptide and the median is $0.129/mg. The Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 prices on BodyHackGuide are vendors' listed prices as BodyHackGuide last recorded them, not transactions; the most recent recorded change to a Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 listing is dated 22 April 2026.

Which vendors have third-party COAs for Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 on file at BodyHackGuide?

BodyHackGuide holds no third-party certificate records for Acetyl Hexapeptide-8. Each vendor page on BodyHackGuide shows how many certificate records BodyHackGuide holds for that vendor.

Lowest price per mg

$0.129/mg$129.00 for 1000mg

at Ion Peptide

Buy at Ion Peptide (opens the vendor's site in a new tab)

Spec sheet