SYN®-AKE (Viper Venom, as we like to call it) isn’t harsh or drying. It’s a precision-targeted, peptide-powered smoothing serum that helps the muscles beneath expression lines relax, softening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time without freeze-like tightness. Powered by Syn®-Ake, a biomimetic peptide modeled after a component in Temple Viper venom, this serum supports a visibly smoother, more refined skin surface - especially in zones that crease deeply with movement, like crow’s feet, laugh lines, forehead lines, and neck.* 

Unlike typical anti-aging serums that simply hydrate, Viper Venom works at the muscle signal level to help expression-related skin folding appear softer and less pronounced. With consistent use over weeks, results become cumulative and notably more refined.

This formula is lightweight, easy to layer under moisturizers and sunscreens, and ideal for spot-targeting expression zones rather than all-over use.

Download Our Viper Venom Information Sheet!

NOTE: This serum provides an immediate Botox-like effect and is also cumulative. Depending on the other products used, this product may take 45-90 days to show its effect. This product should be used ONLY for spot treatments, i.e., laugh lines, forehead, neck, crow's feet, etc.

Shelf Life and Storage Information for Our Products and Ingredients

Finished Products - generally don't need to be refrigerated as they are preserved, but you can refrigerate them to extend their shelf life. The shelf life for most products is 9-12 months. Vitamin C Serum(s) and VitaResurface products should continually be refrigerated to extend their shelf life.
Sample Sizes - do have a shorter shelf life (generally 3-6 months), and items in jars can dry up quicker than this if the lid is not tightened well enough (Vitamin C Serums - use within 90 days).

Please Keep Your Products Out of Humidity, Heat, Direct Light and in a Dark Cabinet When Possible 

Exfoliating Acid - products have a shelf life of 9-12 months. The only things we don't suggest refrigerating are the Mandelic Acid Serums or Salicylic Acid Serums, as they can crystallize in the refrigerator. If this happens, you can set the product into a hot water bath to see if the crystals will dissolve.

Additional Items That Require Refrigeration and/or Kept in the Dark

Hydrosols and Distillates - remove 1 ounce of hydrosol and add it to a separate, sterilized spray bottle and spritzer. Keep the larger bottle in the refrigerator.
Carrier and Exotic Oils - generally refrigerate all carrier oils, although some very rich oils will solidify. This is fine. All you have to do is take the oil out, warm it up at room temperature, and it should liquefy. If not, set the bottle in a hot water bath and occasionally shake the bottle, which will hopefully turn into a liquid. Some oils, like coconut cream and jojoba oil, have a super long shelf life.    

Refrigeration of The Following Ingredients is Not Necessary, But it Won't hurt

Essential Oils - essential oils are best stored in a cool, dark place.   
Co2 Extracts - these should continually be refrigerated.
Butters - we suggest refrigerating our "skincare" butters. You can remove
what you need and keep the rest in the fridge.
Clays - keep in a dry, dark place. Shelf life is at least 2 years.
Herbs All herbs <i>(whole or ground)</i> should be kept in a dark, cool, and dry location.
Herbal (liquid) Extracts are created using grain alcohol. The alcohol pulls the constituents (properties) from each herb, root, trunk, leaf, and flower. They have a shelf life of 3-5 years.
They can be stored in the refrigerator or a dark, dry place.
Other Raw Ingredients - such as Sodium PCA, Honeyquat, Oat Beta Glucan, etc., will all have different shelf lives.

Shipping Transit Note:
Some customers have asked whether products can be affected by time in transit, especially during warmer months. Our products are formulated and preserved to remain stable during normal shipping times and should not spoil simply from being in transit.

That said, if you are concerned about heat exposure, you are welcome to add an ice pack to your order for extra peace of mind. Click here to add an ice pack.

Hyaluronic Acid hydrating, can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water
Syn®-Ake 7% 
Syn®-Ake – Age Killing Effect. 
• Antagonist of the muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor    (mnAChR)
• Blocks Na+ uptake at the post-synaptic membrane
• Inhibits muscle contractions
Syn®-Ake is a new anti-wrinkle active compound based on a synthetic tripeptide that mimics the effect of Waglerin 1, a peptide that is found in the venom of the Temple Viper, Tropidolaemus wagleri. PENTAPHARM *(Syn-Ake's manufacturer) has developed, over the past 30 years, a unique approach for the breeding and housing of venomous snakes, particularly the Brazilian Lance Adder Bothrops moojeni whose venom is used for therapeutic (anticoagulants, haemostatics) and diagnostic products. Currently, some 10,000 specimens of this snake species are bred and housed at PENTAPHARM DO BRASIL, making PENTAPHARM the largest snake breeder and keeper in the world. The long experience of PENTAPHARM in snake venom research has made possible the investigation of venom peptides for cosmetic applications. A special focus has been the investigation of the Temple Viper’s venom.

Syn®-Ake acts like that of Waglerin 1, which acts at the post-synaptic membrane. The peptide is an antagonist of the muscular nicotinic acetylcholine membrane’s receptor (mnAChR). The ion canal remains closed as the muscular nicotinic ACh receptors are blocked. There is no uptake of Na+, and the muscles stay relaxed. Source: McArdle, JJ, T L Lentz, V Witzemann, H Schwarz, SA Weinstein& JJ Schmidt. 1999. Waglerin-1 selectively blocks the epsilon form of the muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Therap. 

• Syn®-Ake is an excellent anti-wrinkle active compound with a snake venom-like mode of activity.
• Syn®-Ake smoothes mimic wrinkles in a short period.
Cosmetic applications:
• Age killing effect particularly effective against expression lines• Intensive anti-wrinkles care

INCI Name:
Glycerine, Water, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Efficacy Tests- in vitro tests:
The efficacy of the SYN®-AKE tripeptide (at a concentration of 0.5mM) has been demonstrated in vitro by measuring the frequency of contraction of the innervated muscle cells as a function of the incubation time.

In vivo tests:

The measurement of the smoothing and anti-wrinkle effect of SYN®-AKE (4%) was compared to a placebo.
A cream was applied to the forehead twice daily for 28 days.