Auteur : Équipe R&D, CUIGUAI Flavoring
Publié par : Guangdong Unique Flavor Co., Ltd.
Dernière mise à jour :May 07, 2026
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In the rapidly evolving global e-liquid market, the sensory experience is the ultimate differentiator. While complex flavor profiles—ranging from rich tobaccos to exotic tropical fruits—form the foundation of any premium e-liquid, it is the physical sensation that keeps consumers returning. Among these sensations, the “cooling effect” has surged to the forefront of consumer demand. A high-quality cooling agent vape provides a refreshing, icy hit without altering the delicate flavor notes of the primary concentrate.
For e-liquid manufacturers, particularly those catering to the robust and demanding Russian and CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) markets, mastering the use of cooling agents is not just an option; it is a vital competitive necessity. The Russian vaping demographic possesses a deep-seated preference for intense, bold sensory experiences. Despite—or perhaps because of—the long, harsh winters, Russian consumers show an overwhelming preference for strong “ice” or “cooler” profiles, often heavily inspired by the famous “Malaysian ice” e-liquids. They demand a clean, sharp, and lingering cold sensation that does not compromise the underlying flavor matrix.
As a leading manufacturer of specialty flavorings, we understand that achieving this perfect balance requires deep technical knowledge. Using the wrong cooling agent, or the wrong concentration, can result in muting the flavor, introducing unwanted chemical aftertastes, or causing crystallization in the tank. To help our B2B partners and technical formulators navigate this complex landscape, this comprehensive guide will dissect the Top 5 Cooling Agents Used in the Vape Flavor Industry. We will explore their chemical properties, sensory profiles, solubility, and best practices for creating premium e-liquids tailored to rigorous international standards.
For a broader look at our industry insights and formulation guides, we 1invite you to explore our technical blog category.
Before analyzing the specific agents, it is crucial to understand how Les agents rafraîchissants agissent au niveau biologique. Ils ne diminuent pas réellement la température de la vapeur ou de la bouche. Leur effet repose sur un mécanisme biologique fascinant appelé activation des neurorécepteurs.
Lorsqu’inhalées, les molécules d’un agent rafraîchissant se fixent sur le TRPM8 (Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 8) Canal ionique. Le récepteur TRPM8 est le principal transducteur moléculaire de la somatosensation du froid chez l’humain. Présent dans les neurones sensoriels de la peau, de la bouche et des voies respiratoires, ce récepteur est activé naturellement par des températures froides et par des ligands chimiques spécifiques, notamment le menthol [1].
Lorsqu’une molécule d’agent rafraîchissant se lie au récepteur TRPM8, elle provoque un influx d’ions calcium dans la cellule nerveuse, envoyant un signal au cerveau perçu comme une sensation de froid. La véritable ingéniosité des agents rafraîchissants synthétiques modernes réside dans leur capacité à cibler ce récepteur avec une efficacité supérieure à celle du menthol naturel, sans activer les récepteurs voisins de la douleur ou de l’olfaction, responsables du goût « mentholé » distinct.
By understanding the binding affinity and the specific location of the TRPM8 receptors that each agent targets, formulators can create multi-dimensional cooling effects—for instance, a cold rush on the tip of the tongue followed by a lingering icy sensation in the back of the throat.
En abordant le sujet de la modernité cooling agent vapeDans l’industrie, le WS-23 est indéniablement le roi incontesté. Initialement développé par Wilkinson Sword (d’où la désignation « WS ») dans les années 1970 pour les crèmes à raser et cosmétiques [2], il a depuis été largement adopté par les industries alimentaire, des boissons et des e-liquides.
Contrairement au menthol traditionnel, le WS-23 est un dérivé synthétique offrant une sensation purement thermique. Sa caractéristique la plus distinctive réside dans sa zone d'action : il cible principalement l'avant de la bouche et la langue, procurant une explosion de fraîcheur rapide, vive et d'une netteté remarquable.
The greatest advantage of WS-23 for e-liquid manufacturers is its complete lack of aroma or flavor. It contains absolutely no minty, earthy, or bitter off-notes. This makes it the perfect addition to delicate flavor profiles—such as sweet mango, lychee, or pastry flavors—where the introduction of a mint flavor would ruin the profile.
Russian consumers utilizing high-powered sub-ohm devices or modern pod systems expect an immediate, refreshing hit. WS-23 is heavily favored here because it does not cause the throat irritation (harshness) that other agents might induce at high volumes. When developing a summer fruit line for CIS distribution, integrating premium WS-23 is non-negotiable.
If you are looking to source high-purity, ready-to-mix cooling agents, you can browse our comprehensive catalog of premium e-liquid products.
TRPM8 Receptor Illustration
Often referred to in the DIY vaping community as “Koolada,” WS-3 is another foundational pillar in the realm of e-liquid cooling agents. While it shares the Wilkinson Sword lineage with WS-23, its sensory application is distinctly different, making it an essential tool for complex formulations.
Le WS-3 procure une sensation de fraîcheur principalement ressentie à l’arrière de la gorge et dans le palais mou, plutôt que sur la langue. Son apparition est légèrement retardée par rapport au WS-23, mais sa persistance est nettement plus longue.
Like WS-23, WS-3 is designed to be virtually flavorless, although highly sensitive palates may detect a very faint, almost imperceptible woody or earthy note if used in excessively high concentrations. The cooling intensity of WS-3 is traditionally rated as slightly lower than WS-23 in terms of immediate impact, but its prolonged duration makes it highly effective.
For master formulators, relying on a single cooling agent is often insufficient. To create the multi-dimensional “3D cooling” effect highly prized in the Russian market, a blend of WS-23 and WS-3 is the gold standard.
By combining the front-of-mouth, instant rush of WS-23 with the back-of-throat, lingering freeze of WS-3, formulators can simulate the sensation of inhaling freezing winter air. A common B2B starting ratio for this blend is 2 parts WS-23 to 1 part WS-3. This synergy ensures a smooth inhale and a satisfyingly cold exhale, drastically enhancing the user’s vaping experience.
No comprehensive guide to cooling agents would be complete without discussing the original: Menthol. Extracted naturally from peppermint and cornmint oils (or synthesized from myrcene), menthol has been used for over a century in tobacco, food, and pharmaceuticals [3].
Menthol is unique among the top cooling agents because it is both a thermal trigger and an aromatic flavor compound. When you vape a mentholated e-liquid, you are not just feeling the cold; you are tasting the distinct, sharp, peppermint flavor. Menthol provides a very aggressive, all-encompassing cooling sensation that hits the mouth, throat, and even the lungs.
Furthermore, menthol contributes significantly to the “throat hit”—the tactile sensation in the back of the throat that ex-smokers often crave.
Bien que puissant, le menthol possède une saveur intrinsèque qui constitue sa principale limite. Il est impossible d’ajouter du menthol à un e-liquide délicat à la fraise ou à la crème vanille sans transformer fondamentalement le profil aromatique en un « Fraise Menthe » ou « Vanille Menthe ».
Additionally, menthol has a high tendency to crystallize at room temperature. If an e-liquid contains a very high concentration of menthol, the molecules can crash out of the PG/VG solution in cold weather—a highly relevant concern for products shipped to and stored in Russian winters.
Despite the rise of synthetic coolers, menthol remains incredibly popular in the CIS region, particularly in tobacco-flavored e-liquids and traditional mint profiles. Russian consumers transitioning from combustible cigarettes often prefer high-nicotine, high-menthol pod formulations. We recommend using pure L-menthol crystals dissolved meticulously in pharmaceutical-grade PG to avoid the bitter impurities sometimes found in lower-grade menthol liquids.
For manufacturers looking to push the boundaries of extreme cooling, WS-5 is the undisputed heavy hitter. It is widely considered one of the strongest commercially available cooling agents in the flavor and fragrance industry.
Le WS-5 a été conçu pour optimiser son affinité de liaison avec le récepteur TRPM8. Par conséquent, son intensité rafraîchissante est estimée entre 2,5 et 4 fois supérieure à celle du menthol traditionnel, et nettement plus forte que celle du WS-23 et du WS-3.
Le WS-5 offre une sensation de froid intense, pénétrante et glaciale, englobant toute la cavité buccale et les voies respiratoires. Il procure l’effet de « gel cérébral ». Malgré sa puissance exceptionnelle, il conserve un profil épuré, avec peu d’interférence sur la saveur, bien qu’à doses très élevées, il puisse introduire une amertume légère et piquante.
Because of its extreme potency, WS-5 is rarely used on its own. It is typically utilized as a “booster” agent. For e-liquid brands in Russia looking to release a “Siberian Winter” or “Extreme Ice” line, adding a fractional percentage of WS-5 to a base of WS-23 will push the cooling effect into the stratosphere without requiring high volumes of solute that could disrupt the PG/VG ratio.
Formulators must exercise caution: overdosing WS-5 can lead to an uncomfortable, freezing sensation that numbs the palate, causing olfactory fatigue where the user can no longer taste the primary fruit or dessert flavors.
Peppermint vs Cooling Crystals
The final entry in our top 5 is WS-12. While perhaps less universally recognized by novice DIY mixers than WS-23, WS-12 is a closely guarded secret among premium, large-scale e-liquid manufacturers, particularly those formulating for the international market.
Le WS-12 est célèbre pour sa longévité exceptionnelle. Il agit sur les récepteurs TRPM8 avec une libération régulière et prolongée. Lorsqu’un utilisateur inhale un vapotage contenant du WS-12, l’effet de fraîcheur initial est plus doux et discret comparé au WS-23. Néanmoins, la sensation s’intensifie progressivement et persiste sur le palais ainsi qu’en gorge pendant plusieurs minutes après l’expiration.
It is incredibly clean, possessing zero minty or bitter off-notes, making it an excellent choice for premium, complex flavor profiles where flavor clarity is paramount. Furthermore, WS-12 exhibits excellent thermal stability and is highly resistant to muting during the steeping process.
Russian consumers value high-quality, long-lasting sensory experiences. Incorporating WS-12 into high-end pod salts or premium shortfills ensures that the consumer continues to feel a refreshing coolness long after they have put their device down. This lingering effect significantly enhances consumer satisfaction and brand loyalty.
Pour en savoir davantage sur la provenance de ces agents spécialisés pour vos besoins de fabrication, explorez notre vaste éventail. flavoring and cooling product lines.
Creating a globally successful “cooling agent vape” requires more than just choosing one of the top five chemicals; it requires a deep understanding of market trends, device hardware, and sensory balancing. When targeting Russian and CIS consumers, manufacturers must consider several critical variables:
The Russian market is highly bifurcated between high-wattage Sub-Ohm users and low-wattage Pod System users (often consuming nicotine salts).
A common issue in e-liquid manufacturing is the “muting” effect. Over time, high concentrations of cooling agents can begin to mask the volatile aromatic compounds of fruit and candy flavors. To combat this, formulators should utilize high-quality, concentrated flavorings and allow proper steeping time before locking in the final WS-23/WS-3 ratios. Additionally, balancing the sweetness using sucralose or erythritol can help “push” the fruit flavors through the dense cold sensation.
Le « Vaper’s tongue » désigne un phénomène où l’utilisateur devient insensible à une saveur après une utilisation prolongée. Fait intéressant, les agents rafraîchissants peuvent à la fois causer et guérir ce phénomène. Une utilisation excessive du WS-5 peut engourdir les récepteurs sensoriels. En revanche, passer à un e-liquide avec un profil clair de WS-23 et sans menthol peut servir de nettoyant pour le palais. Proposer une gamme diversifiée d’intensités rafraîchissantes constitue une stratégie efficace pour les marques B2B.
Russia’s extreme winter temperatures pose a unique logistical challenge. If e-liquids are formulated with cooling agents pushed to their maximum solubility limits in PG, exposure to sub-zero temperatures during shipping or storage can cause the agents to crystallize and precipitate out of the solution. This ruins the product. Manufacturers must conduct rigorous cold-stress testing on all formulations destined for the CIS market, ensuring that the agents remain perfectly emulsified even at -20°C.
As an authoritative supplier, we emphasize the importance of compliance and safety. The cooling agents discussed above—WS-23, WS-3, WS-5, WS-12, and Menthol—are all widely recognized within the flavor industry. Many of these compounds are listed on the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) list by FEMA (Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association) for use in food and oral care products [4].
However, e-liquid manufacturers must ensure they are sourcing high-purity, pharmaceutical-grade (USP/EP) or food-grade compounds. Industrial-grade cooling agents may contain residual solvents or heavy metal impurities that are strictly prohibited in inhalation products. When exporting to the Russian market, ensuring compliance with local Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) regulations and GOST standards regarding e-liquid composition and labeling is absolutely critical for seamless customs clearance and retail distribution.
L'industrie moderne des saveurs pour cigarette électronique se caractérise par une précision extrême, et la quête de la perfection est incessante. cooling agent vape est à son niveau le plus élevé que jamais, notamment sur des marchés dynamiques comme la Russie et la CEI. Que vous comptiez sur la sensation instantanée et pure de WS-23, the lingering throat hit of WS-3, the classic profile of Menthol, the extreme freezing power of WS-5, or the sustained endurance of WS-12, each agent offers a unique tool for your formulation arsenal.
By understanding the chemical properties and TRPM8 receptor interactions of these Top 5 cooling agents, manufacturers can move beyond simple trial-and-error. You can begin to synergize these compounds, layering them to build complex, 3D cooling profiles that elevate your e-liquid from standard to premium.
Votre réussite sur le marché mondial, hautement concurrentiel, repose sur la qualité de vos matières premières et l’expertise de vos formulations. Collaborez avec un fabricant qui maîtrise la science des arômes et comprend les exigences spécifiques de votre clientèle cible.
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Are you ready to elevate your e-liquid production and capture the lucrative Russian and global markets with unparalleled cooling sensations? Do not leave your formulations to chance. Partner with us for high-purity, premium specialty flavorings and cooling agents.
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[1] National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). « TRPM8 : le récepteur du froid et du menthol ». Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology.
[2] Histoire du brevet Wilkinson Sword. « N-substitué-p-méthane-3-carboxamides ». Chimie et formulation des agents rafraîchissants synthétiques.
[3] Wikipédia, l’encyclopédie libre. « Menthol – propriétés biologiques et applications ».
[4] Association des fabricants d’arômes et d’extraits (FEMA). « Base de données des substances aromatisantes GRAS ».
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