Cosmetic & skin

Argireline (acetyl hexapeptide-8)

Also called acetyl hexapeptide-8, acetyl hexapeptide-3 (older INCI name), Argireline

Argireline is a short lab-made peptide used in anti-wrinkle creams and serums. It is marketed as a 'topical Botox' because it copies a piece of a nerve protein that Botox targets, but the evidence that it works through the skin is limited and mixed.

Early human dataSome small human studies exist; evidence is limited.

All printable flashcards

Drawn from its published sequence: 6 residues, one bead each.

Overview

How it works

Proposed: the peptide mimics part of SNAP-25 and competes for a place in the SNARE complex, the protein machinery nerves use to release signaling chemicals. In cell studies this reduced release, which in theory would relax the facial muscles that form expression lines. Not established: whether enough peptide gets through skin to reach muscle in people; a skin-penetration study cited in a 2025 review found that less than 0.2% got past the outer skin layer over 24 hours.

What research shows

Blanes-Mira et al. 2002 (Int J Cosmet Sci) first described the peptide and reported anti-wrinkle activity; study design and concentrations were not re-verified for this entry.
Lungu et al. 2012 (Eur J Neurol), double-blind placebo-controlled pilot in blepharospasm patients treated with botulinum toxin: those using an acetyl hexapeptide-8 cream had longer symptom relief than placebo; cosmetic outcomes were not studied.
A skin-penetration study cited by Zdrada-Nowak et al. 2025 (Int J Mol Sci) found that under 0.2% of applied peptide passed the stratum corneum over 24 hours, and most was removed by washing.
Lum et al. 2025 review (J Drugs Dermatol): some studies show wrinkle improvement, but significance is inconsistent; more consistent results come from multi-ingredient products that vary widely.

Doses studied in people

No drug-style dosing exists; it is a cosmetic ingredient used topically. Concentrations in published human studies could not be confirmed from the sources checked, so none are listed.

Read this first: these are the amounts given to participants in published studies or written on official prescribing labels, reported for reference. They are not recommendations. Trial doses were chosen for specific patients under medical supervision, and a dose that is safe in one person can be harmful in another.

Vial math

Many research vials hold 5 or 10 mg of powder. This table shows how much ends up in each mark on a U-100 insulin syringe for common amounts of added liquid. It is arithmetic only, not a dose.

Vial	Liquid added	Concentration	Per unit (0.01 mL)
5 mg	1 mL	5 mg/mL	50 mcg	Open in calculator
5 mg	2 mL	2.5 mg/mL	25 mcg	Open in calculator
5 mg	3 mL	1.67 mg/mL	16.7 mcg	Open in calculator
10 mg	1 mL	10 mg/mL	100 mcg	Open in calculator
10 mg	2 mL	5 mg/mL	50 mcg	Open in calculator
10 mg	3 mL	3.33 mg/mL	33.3 mcg	Open in calculator

More sizes: all vial sizes · How this works: Syringes and units · Reconstitution guide.

Safety

Generally well tolerated topically in small studies; no significant adverse effects were reported in the 2012 pilot trial.
Long-term safety data and large controlled trials are lacking.
Not a substitute for botulinum toxin; no head-to-head trials exist.

Report side effects of any drug or product to the FDA through MedWatch. For a possible poisoning in the US, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Legal status

FDA: Not an FDA-approved drug. Sold as a cosmetic ingredient; anti-wrinkle claims that suggest changing body structure or function can make a product an unapproved drug under FDA rules.
Compounding: Not applicable (cosmetic ingredient).
Sports (WADA): Not listed.
Other: Listed under the INCI name acetyl hexapeptide-8 (formerly acetyl hexapeptide-3).

Rules change often. See Legal status of peptides for how these categories work.

History

Described in 2002 by Blanes-Mira and colleagues as an anti-wrinkle hexapeptide, developed by the Spanish company Lipotec (now part of Lubrizol), which markets it as Argireline. It became one of the most widely used cosmetic peptides.

Common questions

Is Argireline really 'topical Botox'?

It is marketed that way because it mimics part of SNAP-25, a nerve protein Botox targets, and it reduced chemical release from nerves in cell studies ⁴. Whether enough gets through skin to reach muscle in people is not established ³.

Does Argireline get through the skin?

A skin-penetration study found that under 0.2% of the applied peptide passed the outer skin layer over 24 hours ³. Most of it was removed by washing ³.

What does the research show on wrinkles?

A 2025 review found some studies show wrinkle improvement, but results are inconsistent ⁴. More consistent results came from multi-ingredient products, which vary widely ⁴.

Has it been tested in a controlled trial?

A small double-blind pilot in people with eyelid spasm (blepharospasm) who were treated with Botox found those using the cream had longer symptom relief than placebo ². Cosmetic results were not studied ².

Is Argireline safe?

No significant side effects were reported in the 2012 pilot trial ².

Why do labels say acetyl hexapeptide-8?

That is its ingredient (INCI) name, and older labels used acetyl hexapeptide-3 ⁵.

Related compounds

AntioxidantEarly human dataFlashcard

Glutathione

GSH · reduced glutathione

Glutathione is a tiny three-amino-acid peptide that every cell makes and that serves as the body's main built-in antioxidant.

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-25 · How we research · Found an error? See our corrections policy.