As a cosmetic ingredient, acetyl octapeptide-3 significantly reduces the depth of wrinkles caused by contraction of facial expression muscles, especially in the forehead and periocular area. The substance is a structurally extended analog of the hexapeptide arginine, which inhibits muscle contraction and prevents the formation of wrinkles by occupying the binding site of the SNAP-25 protein and intervening in the formation of the melt bubble complex. As a safe and cost-effective alternative, acetyl octapeptide is comparable in effectiveness to botulinum toxin type A while avoiding the shortcomings of injection therapy and its high cost.