ION BLUE RESEARCH DIRECTORY
Neurotransmitter-Inhibiting Peptides
Cosmetic peptides marketed in relation to the appearance of expression lines, proposed to interfere with nerve-to-muscle signaling in facial muscle contraction (a topical, non-injected mechanism distinct from botulinum toxin and not a substitute for it). Includes Argireline (acetyl hexapeptide-8) and SNAP-8 (acetyl octapeptide-3). Cited human improvements are often from patch or combination delivery; see each entry.
Category-level context for navigating related peptides and scientific evidence.
Overview
Cosmetic peptides marketed in relation to the appearance of expression lines, proposed to interfere with nerve-to-muscle signaling in facial muscle contraction (a topical, non-injected mechanism distinct from botulinum toxin and not a substitute for it). Includes Argireline (acetyl hexapeptide-8) and SNAP-8 (acetyl octapeptide-3). Cited human improvements are often from patch or combination delivery; see each entry.
Peptides in this category
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Acetyl hexapeptide-8 (Argireline) is a synthetic peptide used in cosmetics and marketed for the appearance of expression lines. Ex vivo studies indicate limited skin penetration, and the cited human improvement was reported using a microneedle patch combined with other actives rather than topical application alone.
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Acetyl octapeptide-3 (SNAP-8) is a synthetic peptide marketed for the appearance of expression lines. Cited human evidence comes from dissolving microneedle patches containing multiple actives, so effects cannot be attributed to acetyl octapeptide-3 or to conventional topical application alone.
Leuphasyl
Pentapeptide-18 (trade name Leuphasyl; INCI Pentapeptide-18) is a synthetic [D-Ala2] analog of the endogenous opioid pentapeptide Leu-enkephalin (sequence H-Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu-OH). It is marketed as a "neuro-cosmetic" for the appearance of expression lines via a proposed PRE-synaptic (enkephalin/opioid) mechanism — distinct from the POST-synaptic SNARE-targeting peptides Argireline and SNAP-8. Its structural basis is well-established; independent controlled human anti-wrinkle efficacy data are limited.
Syn-Ake
Syn-Ake is a cosmetic dipeptide (a synthetic waglerin-1 mimetic) marketed for expression lines; independent peptide-specific evidence is limited.