Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate

Overview

This is a synthetic dipeptide designed to mimic the active fragment of waglerin-1, a peptide found in the venom of the temple viper. The mimic was developed because the natural snake peptide reversibly blocks a specific neuromuscular receptor, which suggested a possible topical wrinkle-relaxant effect. The cosmetic version is fully synthetic — it does not contain any actual venom — and was given a name that nods to its origin under a single supplier’s trademark.

It is supplied as a clear water-thin solution, pre-diluted to a peptide content of around 0.025%, with water, phenoxyethanol, and a small amount of EDTA as the carrier. Shelf life in the bottle is 12-18 months stored cool and dark.

The published clinical data is modest but positive — small studies show measurable reduction in expression line depth on the forehead and around the eyes after 4-8 weeks of twice-daily use. It is not a substitute for injection muscle relaxants. It is a slow, gentle topical option.

What it does in a formula

The molecule competes for a specific nicotinic acetylcholine receptor on small facial muscles. When it binds, the muscle is briefly less responsive to the nerve signal that tells it to contract. Over months of repeated mild reduction in micro-contractions, the surface skin creases less and expression lines can appear softer.

It is functionally invisible in a formula — no scent, no color contribution, no texture impact. It works well alongside signal peptides, niacinamide, panthenol, and hyaluronic acid.

How to use

Cool-down phase, below 40 C. Stir in gently once the emulsion is formed. The peptide is degraded by prolonged heat.

Usage rates by product type (referring to the supplier blend, not pure peptide):

• Eye contour serums: 2-4%
• Forehead-line treatment creams: 2-4%
• Anti-aging face serums: 1-3%
• Targeted spot treatments: 3-4%

Effective minimum is around 1.5%; standard use is 3%. Above 4% the cost climbs without proportional benefit.

Best for / Worst for

Best for: mature skin with visible dynamic lines (crow’s feet, forehead horizontals, ”11s”), formulators wanting a non-irritating muscle-relaxing positioning, sensitive skin types that cannot use retinoids.

Worst for: static deep wrinkles, anhydrous balms (no water base), beginners who expect dramatic short-term change.

Common pitfalls

Marketing it as “topical Botox.” Topical peptides do not penetrate to where injection-grade muscle relaxants act. The effect is much milder and works on the very surface muscle layer only.

Cooking it. Always add at cool-down. Prolonged heat exposure cuts effectiveness.

Combining with strong AHAs in the same product. Low pH gradually degrades the peptide. Keep peptide products at pH 4.5-6.5.

Buying suspiciously cheap “pure” material. The genuine ingredient is costly. Bargain-priced versions often contain a fraction of the labeled peptide content.

Substitutes

• Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 — similar topical muscle-relaxing positioning, different molecule, comparable use rate.
• Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 + Tetrapeptide-7 — signal peptide blend that softens lines via collagen support instead.
• Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 — broader-spectrum signal peptide.
• Bakuchiol — non-peptide gentle anti-aging option.