WS-23 and WS-3 are the two most-used cooling agents, but they behave differently: WS-23 delivers fast, clean cooling with no taste; WS-3 lasts longer with a slightly minty character at higher doses.
Key Highlights
- WS-23: fastest onset, cleanest taste, shorter duration
- WS-3: longer cooling tail, subtle mint nuance at elevated dosage
- Typical e-liquid usage: WS-23 0.5-3%, WS-3 0.3-2%
- Blending both engineers a complete cooling curve
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | WS-23 / WS-3 |
| Onset speed | Fast / Medium |
| Duration | Medium / Long |
| Taste impact | None / Slight mint at high dose |
| Typical e-liquid dose | 0.5-3% / 0.3-2% |
| Best for | Clean cooling, fruit profiles / Long-finish, mint profiles |
WS-23 (N-ethyl-p-menthane-3-carboxamide) is the default for fruit and dessert profiles where any mint character would distort flavor intent. WS-3 (menthyl lactate family behavior) suits applications wanting a lingering finish.
Blending Strategy
A 60/40 WS-23/WS-3 blend gives fast onset with extended tail. Adjust ratios to position the cooling curve between instant and lingering. matai supplies both in powder and liquid forms with consistent batch quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is stronger, WS-23 or WS-3?
At equal dosage WS-23 feels more intense initially due to faster onset; WS-3 sustains longer. Perceived strength depends on the target time window.
Can I use both together?
Yes – blending is standard practice. Start at 60/40 WS-23/WS-3 and adjust the ratio to shape onset versus duration.
Next step: Order both from the cooling agent series.