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Longevity & Skin
A cosmetic 'topical Botox-like' peptide — studied as a cream, not an injection.
Longevity & Skin
A natural copper-binding tripeptide with decades of skin research.
SNAP-8 is not FDA-approved and rated 1/5 for evidence; GHK-Cu is not FDA-approved and rated 3/5. GHK-Cu has more human evidence behind it. Both are used for longevity & skin goals.
Often used together: Often combined in topical anti-aging serums: SNAP-8 for expression lines, GHK-Cu for collagen and skin firmness.
| Compare | SNAP-8 A cosmetic 'topical Botox-like' peptide — studied as a cream, not an injection. | GHK-Cu A natural copper-binding tripeptide with decades of skin research. |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Longevity & Skin | Longevity & Skin |
| Evidence | 1/5Mostly in-vitro work and manufacturer-run cosmetic tests. Very little independent, peer-reviewed human data. No injection studies. | 3/5Several small human topical/cosmetic studies; injection data is mainly preclinical. |
| FDA status | Not a drug; used as a cosmetic ingredient | Cosmetic ingredient; injectable not approved |
| WADA (sport) | Not on the Prohibited List | Not on the Prohibited List |
| Also known as | Acetyl octapeptide-3, Acetyl glutamyl heptapeptide-3 | Copper tripeptide-1, Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper |
| How it works | Mimics part of the SNAP-25 protein and competes for a spot in the SNARE complex, the machinery nerve endings use to release signals to muscle. In lab tests this slightly dampens signal release, which in theory relaxes the small muscles behind expression lines. It is far weaker than botulinum toxin, and how well it penetrates skin is debated. | Delivers copper to tissue, stimulates collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, supports wound remodeling, and appears to reset expression of many genes toward a younger profile (gene-expression studies). |
| Half-life | Not characterized in humans | Short (minutes–hours); effects driven by gene/repair signaling |
| Commonly reported doses |
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| Route | Topical | Subcutaneous |
| Good once mixed | ~28 days in the fridge | ~30 days in the fridge |
| Top side effects |
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| Lowest research-listing price per mg | $1.80 (10 mg vial, 40% off) | $0.35 (100 mg vial, 40% off) |
| Latest lab purity | 99.40% (lot SN0001) | 99.94% (lot GHK0003) |
Want a third? Add another peptide. Doses are commonly reported ranges, not recommendations.
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Connect MyPeps to ChatGPT or Claude and ask follow-ups about SNAP-8 and GHK-Cu. It answers from these same pages, with links back here.
SNAP-8 is not FDA-approved and rated 1/5 for evidence; GHK-Cu is not FDA-approved and rated 3/5. GHK-Cu has more human evidence behind it. Both are used for longevity & skin goals.
SNAP-8: Not a drug; used as a cosmetic ingredient. GHK-Cu: Cosmetic ingredient; injectable not approved. Regulations change, so confirm with the FDA.
SNAP-8 is rated 1 out of 5: Mostly in-vitro work and manufacturer-run cosmetic tests. Very little independent, peer-reviewed human data. No injection studies. GHK-Cu is rated 3 out of 5: Several small human topical/cosmetic studies; injection data is mainly preclinical. The scale is explained on our methodology page.
SNAP-8 is not named on the WADA list, though the general rule on non-approved substances (S0) can still apply. GHK-Cu is not named on the WADA list, though the general rule on non-approved substances (S0) can still apply.
Often combined in topical anti-aging serums: SNAP-8 for expression lines, GHK-Cu for collagen and skin firmness. That describes how some people use them, not a recommendation.