What's in ZYN Chill? The Complete Ingredient Breakdown

December 19, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2023 study published in BMC Chemistry, ZYN products were found to have consistently low levels of harmful constituents compared to traditional tobacco products. While the core recipe is consistent across the brand, the key difference that sets ZYN Chill apart is the addition of a unique synthetic cooling agent, WS-3, which provides a cooling effect without a strong minty flavor.

Quick Summary

ZYN Chill consists of a tobacco-free formula that includes pharmaceutical-grade nicotine salt, food-grade fillers, pH balancers, and a synthetic cooling agent called WS-3. The result is a discreet, mellow nicotine pouch with a gentle cooling sensation, free from sugar and tobacco leaf.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: ZYN Chill contains pharmaceutical-grade nicotine salt, food-grade fillers (cellulose), pH adjusters, artificial sweeteners, and water.
Unique Cooling Agent: The cooling sensation in ZYN Chill is provided by a synthetic compound called WS-3, which creates a chill effect without a strong minty flavor.
Tobacco-Free: All ZYN products, including Chill, are tobacco-free, meaning they do not contain any tobacco leaf or plant matter.
Different from Mint: Unlike Cool Mint or Menthol, ZYN Chill provides a mellow cooling sensation with reduced oral irritancy, distinguishing it from other mint-flavored variants.
No Sugar or Calories: The sweetness in ZYN Chill comes from artificial sweeteners, containing no sugar and less than one calorie per pouch.
Manufacturing Process: Pouches are produced through a quality-controlled process of blending, hydration, pouch filling, and packaging, with ingredients like WS-3 added during the blending phase.

Understanding the Core Ingredients of ZYN

Before delving into what specifically differentiates ZYN Chill, it is important to understand the base ingredients that form all ZYN nicotine pouches. All ZYN products are tobacco-free, containing purified, pharmaceutical-grade nicotine derived from tobacco plants, rather than the tobacco leaf itself. The other ingredients are largely food-grade additives designed to provide texture, balance pH, and deliver flavor consistently. These white pouches are made from a non-woven fabric, similar to a tea bag material.

Core Ingredients Breakdown

Nicotine Salt: ZYN uses nicotine bitartrate dihydrate, a stable form of nicotine that provides a smoother, less harsh experience than freebase nicotine. This is the active compound that delivers nicotine efficiently through the oral mucosa.
Fillers: To provide bulk and structure to the pouch, ZYN uses a combination of plant-based fibers. This includes microcrystalline cellulose, which is the primary filler, along with maltitol and gum arabic.
Stabilizer: Hydroxypropyl cellulose, a plant-based additive, is used to maintain the pouch's consistency and moisture level, preventing it from drying out.
pH Adjusters: Sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) are used to adjust the pH level of the pouch. A specific pH is necessary to optimize the absorption of nicotine in the mouth, allowing for a more efficient and consistent nicotine release.
Sweeteners: The sweetness in ZYN comes from artificial, zero-calorie sweeteners like Acesulfame K and Sucralose. ZYN contains no sugar, making it a zero-calorie option.
Water: Controlled amounts of purified water are added to balance moisture, which is crucial for mouthfeel and absorption.
Preservatives: Some variants may contain preservatives like potassium sorbate to ensure product longevity by preventing microbial growth.

The Secret to ZYN Chill: The WS-3 Cooling Agent

What distinguishes ZYN Chill from other flavors is its distinct cooling effect without a pronounced mint or menthol taste. The cooling sensation is created by a synthetic agent known as WS-3 (N-Ethyl-p-menthane-3-carboxamide).

A 2023 study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research investigated the cooling and irritant properties of various ZYN products. The study found that ZYN Chill robustly activated the TRPM8 receptor, which is responsible for the body's sensation of cold, confirming the presence of a potent cooling agent. The key takeaway from this research was that WS-3 provides a cooling sensation with reduced irritancy compared to traditional mint flavorants like menthol. While mint-flavored variants like Cool Mint and Peppermint also contain WS-3, they also include other flavor chemicals, such as menthol, that cause a stronger irritant response. ZYN Chill is marketed as being unflavored but having a cooling effect, effectively bypassing regulations on flavored products in some regions, though this is a subject of legal debate.

ZYN Chill vs. Other ZYN Flavors: A Comparison

While all ZYN pouches share the same core ingredient structure, the flavor and sensory experience differ significantly based on the specific flavorants added.


Feature	ZYN Chill	Other Mint/Menthol Flavors (Cool Mint, Menthol, etc.)	Smooth (Unflavored)
Flavor Profile	Subtle, unflavored with a cooling sensation.	Strong, distinct mint or menthol flavor.	Mild, balanced flavor, neutral profile.
Cooling Agent	WS-3, provides a potent but less irritating cool.	WS-3 plus other mint flavorants like Menthol.	None.
Sensory Effect	Invigorating, mellow cooling effect.	Icy, sharp, and more pronounced sensation.	No cooling or irritant effect.
Target User	Those who want a cooling sensation without a strong taste.	Fans of powerful, icy mint flavors.	Users seeking a neutral, versatile option.
Ingredients	All core ingredients + WS-3.	All core ingredients + flavorings (Menthol, etc.).	All core ingredients, fewer flavor additives.

How ZYN Pouches Are Manufactured

The manufacturing of ZYN pouches is a multi-step process that ensures quality and consistency. The process starts with sourcing high-quality ingredients, including pharmaceutical-grade nicotine, food-grade fillers, and other additives.

Ingredient Blending: The nicotine, flavorings (including WS-3 for Chill), sweeteners, and other dry ingredients are mixed with water to form a uniform, paste-like substance.
Pouch Formation: This blended material is precisely portioned into small, individual doses. The pouches are made from a non-woven, food-grade fabric, which is then heat-sealed to contain the contents securely.
Drying and Curing: The pouches undergo a controlled drying process to achieve the correct moisture level. This is a critical step for ensuring consistent flavor release and shelf life.
Quality Control: Rigorous testing is performed on every batch to verify nicotine content, weight, pH balance, and microbial safety. This helps ensure the pouches are consistent and meet international quality benchmarks. Some tests have found very low levels of certain chemicals like formaldehyde, but no nitrosamines or PAHs.
Packaging: After quality control, the pouches are packed into their cans, which often include a convenient built-in waste compartment.

Conclusion: What to Know About ZYN Chill

In summary, what is in ZYN Chill is a blend of standard ZYN pouch ingredients with the addition of a key synthetic compound: WS-3. This special ingredient provides a unique, unflavored cooling sensation that distinguishes it from the more intense mint or menthol flavors. As a tobacco-free product containing pharmaceutical-grade nicotine and food-grade additives, ZYN Chill offers a discreet and mellow nicotine experience. The presence of the WS-3 cooling agent allows the product to offer a cooling sensation while often evading flavored product bans, a point that continues to be legally challenged in some jurisdictions. Users seeking a clean, gentle cooling sensation rather than a strong mint flavor will find ZYN Chill tailored to their preference.

Visit the ZYN official website for more information on their products.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, ZYN Chill is a tobacco-free product. It contains pharmaceutical-grade nicotine, which is extracted from tobacco plants, but it does not contain any tobacco leaf or plant matter.

WS-3 is a synthetic cooling agent, formally known as N-Ethyl-p-menthane-3-carboxamide. It is used in ZYN Chill to provide a cooling sensation without a strong mint or menthol flavor.

No, ZYN Chill is technically unflavored but contains a cooling agent. While it provides a cool sensation similar to mint, it lacks the strong flavor and oral irritancy associated with mint variants like Cool Mint or Peppermint.

Yes, ZYN Chill and all other ZYN pouches are sugar-free. The sweetness comes from FDA-approved artificial sweeteners like Acesulfame K and Sucralose.

The WS-3 cooling agent in ZYN Chill works by activating the TRPM8 receptor in the mouth, which is responsible for sensing cold. This creates a physiological cooling effect without requiring a minty flavor.

The fillers in ZYN Chill pouches are primarily composed of microcrystalline cellulose, a plant-based fiber, along with maltitol and gum arabic. These ingredients provide the bulk and structure of the pouch.

ZYN Chill feels different from Cool Mint because while both contain the synthetic cooling agent WS-3, Cool Mint also includes other mint flavorants like menthol. This results in a stronger, more intense cooling and potentially irritating sensation in Cool Mint compared to the mellow chill of the Chill variant.

The ingredients in ZYN, including food-grade fillers, sweeteners, and pH adjusters, are generally recognized as safe for food use. However, nicotine itself is an addictive chemical, and health experts note that 'tobacco-free' does not mean 'risk-free'.