Comparing WS-23 and Menthol in E-liquid Formulation

作者： 翠盖调味研发团队

出版： 广东独特风味有限公司

最后更新：Apr 28, 2026

精准冷感剂

In the fast-paced, ever-evolving world of e-liquid manufacturing, the demand for “Ice” and “Cool” flavor profiles has reached unprecedented heights. Whether formulating for open-system sub-ohm tanks or the wildly popular disposable pod systems, mastering the art of the “throat hit” and sensory cooling is non-negotiable for modern fragrance manufacturers. At the center of this chilled revolution lies a critical formulation debate: WS-23 vs Menthol.

As a premier manufacturer of fragrances and flavorings for electronic liquids, we constantly field questions from mixologists, brand owners, and production chemists regarding which cooling agent vape manufacturers should prioritize. The answer is rarely a simple binary; it depends on sensory science, chemical stability, target demographics, and the delicate interplay of flavor compounds.

本技术指南将深入剖析WS-23与薄荷醇的化学特性、感官机制及商业应用。我们将探讨这些冷感剂如何与人体生理相互作用，在严苛的制造环境中表现如何，以及理解地区偏好——如俄罗斯及独联体市场对锐利、纯净、寒冷轮廓的巨大需求——如何显著提升产品的市场竞争力。欲了解更多成功配方的深度洞察，欢迎查阅我们的丰富资料库。 e-liquid manufacturing trends.

1. 感官冷感的科学：冷感剂如何发挥作用？

Before we pit WS-23 against Menthol, it is essential to understand the biological mechanism that makes a vapor feel带来冰凉感，却无需实际降低口腔或喉咙的温度。

寒冷的感觉由 TRPM8 (Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 8)离子通道，一种位于人体皮肤和粘膜中的感受器，包括口腔、喉咙和鼻腔。当暴露于低于26°C的寒冷温度时，该受体被激活，向大脑传递信号，产生冷感。

Interestingly, certain chemical compounds possess the unique ability to chemically bind to and activate the TRPM8 receptor at normal physiological temperatures. Menthol was the first widely recognized compound to do this. According to a landmark study published in the scientific journal Nature, menthol binds directly to TRPM8, effectively “tricking” the brain into feeling cold (McKemy et al., 2002). Following the discovery of menthol’s mechanism, chemists began developing synthetic derivatives that could trigger the TRPM8 receptor more efficiently, without the distinct minty taste and odor associated with natural menthol. This paved the way for the “WS” (Wilkinson Sword) series of cooling agents, culminating in the widespread use of WS-23 in the modern vaping industry.

2. Cooling Profile Comparison

在调配电子液体时，感官体验是决定成败的关键。WS-23与薄荷醇的选择，根本上改变了消费者的吸烟体验。一个 cooling agent vape配方需精准调校，因为冷感的部位、起始时间与持续时间，决定了主要风味的感知方式。

1. 薄荷醇特性：浓郁、清新、通鼻

薄荷醇（C10H20O）是一种天然存在的环状萜醇，主要源自薄荷或玉米薄荷油。

• Sensory Location:薄荷醇主要影响喉咙和鼻腔通道。当吸烟者呼出含薄荷的电子液体时，感受到鼻窦的明显“畅通”及锐利的喉感。
• Flavor Interference:薄荷醇是 not无味或无嗅，其具有浓郁鲜明的薄荷草本香气。
• Onset and Duration:冷感在吸入瞬间即现，但会较快散去，然而薄荷后的余韵却持久留存。

2. WS-23轮廓：顺滑、无味、前导

WS-23（N,2,3-三甲基-2-异丙基丁酰胺）是一种合成冷感剂。与旧式合成冷却剂如Koolada（WS-3）不同，WS-23具有明显优势，因而成为行业宠儿。

• Sensory Location:WS-23以带来深刻的冷感著称， front of the tongue and the palate位于口腔上部，而非喉咙或肺部。
• Flavor Interference:WS-23几乎无味无臭，能带来寒冷的感觉而不改变底层的风味轮廓。
• Onset and Duration:WS-23的冷感更为顺滑，稍有延迟，却更为圆润持久。

感官特性图表

1. 冷感轮廓的评判

If your goal is to create a pure “Ice” flavor (e.g., Mango Ice, Blue Razz Ice), WS-23 is vastly superior. It allows the delicate, sweet notes of fruit fragrances to shine through without introducing a conflicting minty note. Conversely, if you are formulating a classic “Menthol Tobacco” or a “Peppermint Patty” dessert flavor, Menthol is indispensable for its authentic herbal taste and aggressive throat hit. For a robust selection of base ingredients, you can explore our high-purity natural menthol crystals 专为商业用途量身定制。

三。 稳定性

In the laboratory and on the production floor, a fragrance formulation is only as good as its stability. E-liquids undergo significant thermal stress during vaporization and endure varied environmental conditions during shipping and storage. The chemical stability of your chosen cooling agent is paramount.

1. 薄荷醇：结晶与挥发性

天然薄荷醇极易挥发和升华。此外，薄荷醇在较低温度下具有明显的再结晶倾向。

这是出口至寒冷地区制造商必须考虑的关键因素。例如，俄罗斯及独联体国家是电子液体和一次性电子烟的重要消费群体。在严酷的俄罗斯冬季，物流运输过程中产品会暴露于零下温度。如果电子液体中含有过多薄荷醇，极易发生结晶，导致液体变得浑浊或在雾化器中形成固体晶体，破坏产品品质和雾化器的正常运行。

Additionally, menthol can be aggressive toward certain plastics used in pod systems, occasionally causing clouding or micro-fracturing in polycarbonate tanks if not properly diluted in Propylene Glycol (PG).

2. WS-23：热稳定性与液体稳定性

WS-23在商业生产中表现卓越，通常以20%或30%的溶液悬浮在丙二醇（PG）中供应给制造商。

• Temperature Resistance:WS-23在标准丙二醇（PG）溶液中不易结晶，在冷链物流中表现出极强的抗冻能力——这是在冬季向莫斯科、新西伯利亚或圣彼得堡大量运输电子液体或成品一次性设备时的巨大优势。关于应对这些制造难题的更多内容，请参阅我们的指南。 troubleshooting crystallization in e-liquids.
• Heat Stability:According to safety and formulation data, WS-23 maintains its structural integrity at the high temperatures generated by modern mesh coils (often exceeding 200°C), ensuring a consistent delivery of cooling without breaking down into harsh or toxic byproducts. (Note: WS-23 is recognized as safe for food flavoring use, holding FEMA GRAS status, though inhalation safety continues to be actively monitored by regulatory bodies like the TPD in Europe and GOST standards in Russia).
• pH Neutrality:WS-23在不同pH值范围内都具有极高的稳定性，意味着它不会与酸性水果风味（如柑橘或青苹果）或碱性尼古丁盐发生不良反应。

Industrial Blending

四。 Deep Dive: The Russian Market Perspective

要真正掌握全球电子烟市场，制造商必须洞察各地区的口味偏好。俄罗斯联邦及邻近的独联体国家形成了极为独特且讲究的味觉喜好。历史上，该地区偏爱浓郁、厚重的风味——深沉的烟草、醇厚的红茶，以及诸如 Mors一款传统浆果饮料与森林莓果。

However, the disposable vape boom fundamentally shifted the Russian palate towards “Ice” variants. Russian vapers demonstrate a remarkably high tolerance and preference for extreme cooling sensations—much higher than typical European or North American consumers.

为该地区配方时：

1. High-Dosage WS-23 is King:俄罗斯消费者追求“脑冻”般的刺激。为了在不破坏甜美森林莓果（地区喜爱的风味）的同时实现此效果，制造商常将WS-23浓度提升至最终混合物的1.5%至2%（30%溶液计）。而此水平的薄荷醇则完全无法吸入，味觉被苦涩、药用般的薄荷味彻底压倒。
2. Nicotine Salt Synergy:俄罗斯市场广泛采用尼古丁盐。WS-23的顺滑感与尼古丁盐的柔和喉感相得益彰，而高浓度的薄荷醇则可能使尼古丁盐的口感过于刺激。
3. Winter Logistics:As mentioned in the stability section, relying on pure WS-23 cooling agent确保您的产品在跨西伯利亚的运输途中不在芯片内结晶。

五。 Application Scenarios

“WS-23与薄荷醇”的终极之战在于实际应用。让我们细分最常见的电子液体类别，评估哪种冷感剂更适合调配师选择。

1. Fruit and Beverage Flavors (“Ice” Profiles)

• 获胜者：WS-23

当顾客选择“西瓜冰”或“可乐冰”时，期望品味成熟西瓜或甜美可乐的原汁原味，伴随如冰凉饮用的清新感。此时，薄荷醇并非理想之选；“西瓜薄荷”则像嚼薄荷口香糖般掩盖了水果的鲜美。WS-23则能带来必要的凉意，提升水果的多汁感而不破坏其原有的层次。

2. 传统烟草与薄荷混合风味

• 获胜者：薄荷醇

For ex-smokers transitioning from menthol cigarettes (which remain highly popular in many parts of the world, including Eastern Europe and Asia), WS-23 will not satisfy them. They crave the harsh throat hit, the sinus-clearing effect, and the herbaceous mint flavor that only natural menthol can provide. In tobacco blends, menthol bridges the gap between the earthy tobacco notes and the cooling effect beautifully.

3. Dessert and Bakery Flavors

• 获胜者：情境（偏向WS-23）

Cooling agents in desserts are tricky. However, a recent trend in Asian and Eastern European markets involves “Chilled Dessert” profiles—like Vanilla Ice Cream or Chilled Lemon Tart. WS-23, used very sparingly (0.2% – 0.5%), can mimic the physical temperature of ice cream without making the vanilla taste minty.

四、混合策略：分层冷感剂

Advanced mixologists rarely limit themselves to just one agent. By combining WS-23 and Menthol (or adding other synthetic coolers like WS-5 or WS-27), you can create a 3D cooling experience.

• The Formulation:A ratio of 80% WS-23 to 20% Menthol.
• The Result:WS-23在舌尖和味蕾上带来强烈而无味的冰冻感，而薄荷醇则赋予微妙的喉感和清新薄荷的呼气。这种分层手法常是当今市场上最成功的高端一次性产品的秘密所在。欲了解丰富的基础风味资源以打造独特配方，敬请查阅我们的 premium vape flavor concentrates.

六。 法规考量与纯度

在采购原料时，纯净度至关重要。无论是WS-23还是薄荷醇，都须遵守严格的市场法规。

• Menthol:Extracted from nature, menthol must be heavily refined to remove impurities and residual plant matter that can degrade rapidly when heated on a vape coil. The Wikipedia entry on Menthol outlines the complex extraction and synthesis processes required to reach pharmaceutical grades (Wikipedia, 2023).
• WS-23:As a synthetic compound, the concern shifts to chemical byproducts. High-quality WS-23 should have a purity of >99%. Low-grade synthetics can contain residual solvents or unreacted amides, which not only introduce a harsh, chemical off-taste but also pose severe health risks.

In markets like the European Union (under TPD) and Russia (under the EAEU technical regulations), submitting toxicological data for all ingredients is becoming mandatory. Using ultra-pure, certified WS-23 from a reputable flavor manufacturer guarantees that your MS-DS (Material Safety Data Sheets) and toxicological profiles will pass regulatory scrutiny. We strongly advise QA teams to read up on our protocols regarding the sensory analysis of vape flavors以确保绝对的合规性与一致性。

七。 Conclusion: Which Cooling Agent Works Better?

In the ongoing debate of ws-23 vs menthol, there is no objective loser—only the right tool for the right job.

If you are developing complex, authentic fruit profiles, beverages, or targeting the massive disposable pod market where users demand intense cold without flavor distortion, WS-23 is undeniably the superior choice.其在冷链中的稳定性、无味特性以及深邃的前味冷感，成为现代调酒艺术的基石。

However, if you are formulating classic tobacco-menthol blends, targeting transitioning smokers, or looking to add an aggressive throat hit and herbaceous aroma to a profile, Menthol remains an irreplaceable classic.

For manufacturers looking to dominate global markets, understanding the synergy between the two, mastering their stability, and catering to specific regional palates (like the Russian affinity for extreme, clean “Ice” berries) will set your brand apart from the competition.

批发系列

准备好提升您的电子液体配方了吗？

Formulating the perfect “Ice” profile requires precision, premium ingredients, and expert guidance. As a leading manufacturer of high-purity fragrances and cooling agents for the global vape industry, Cuiguai is here to support your production line. Whether you need ultra-pure WS-23, natural menthol crystals, or custom flavor concentrates tailored for the Russian and European markets, we have the capacity and the chemistry to deliver.

Contact us today for a Technical Exchange or to request a Free Sample for your laboratory!

样品请求：欢迎访问我们的产品页面，立即索取专业调配样品！

参考资料：

1. 麦克米，D. D.，诺伊豪瑟，W. M.，朱利叶斯，D.（2002）。冷感受器的鉴定揭示了TRP通道在温度感知中的普遍作用。自然，416（6876），52-58。
2. Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA). (n.d.). FEMA GRAS Flavoring Substances. Retrieved from FEMA official registry.
3. (2023). Global Market Trends in Disposable E-Cigarettes and Flavor Preferences. Industry Research Report.
4. 维基百科贡献者（2023年）。薄荷醇。收录于《维基百科》，自由的百科全书。资料来源：维基百科。