What is Syn-ake, and is it actually derived from snake venom?

Syn-ake is a synthetic peptide — meaning it is lab-created, not harvested from any animal. Its name comes from the fact that it mimics the behavior of a naturally occurring compound found in temple pit viper venom, which has been studied for its ability to temporarily relax muscle contractions. In the context of skincare, Syn-ake works by inhibiting the repetitive muscular contractions of facial expression that, over time, create dynamic wrinkles — similar in principle to how neuromodulator injectables work, but through a topical, non-invasive mechanism. No snakes are involved in its production. It is a well-studied and widely used peptide ingredient considered safe and non-irritating for regular topical use. In this formula, it is present at 4% — the highest concentration of any single active ingredient in the complex.