As you watch your vapor swirl away in spirals you’ve
probably wondered, “what’s IN this stuff?”
Answer granted. Your e-liquid
is composed of five main elements: Vegetable Glycerin (VG), Propylene glycol
(PG), flavorings, nicotine, and water. The
amounts and ratios determine how your vapor tastes and acts; for example,
whether there is a lot or a little vapor.
Creating a Base
Nicotine and flavorings need a little help to be able
to be vaporized. Vaping straight
nicotine can be lethal. Vaping straight
flavoring will most likely taste bad and damage your e-liquid device. They need
to be suspended in a carrier or a base. The
base is made up of either Vegetable Glycerin (VG), Propylene glycol (PG), or a
blend of the two. Both are safe to
consume and non-toxic.
Element #1: Vegetable Glycerin (VG)
Vegetable Glycerin (VG) is a food grade, plant based
substance commonly used in food additives as well as a wide variety of personal
care products. VG is a thicker suspension than PG and it has a hint of
sweetness that can be used to enhance other flavorings used in vapors. On the downside, VG can interfere with the
taste of some flavorings. The
consistency of your e-liquid correlates with the consistency of your vapor. Therefore, you can expect VG to offer thick
clouds of vapor. The consistency also
factors in to the interaction with your throat. The thicker consistency
produces a smoothing feeling on your throat which is less irritating but
doesn’t give you the cigarette-like hit when you inhale.
Element #2: Propylene glycol (PG)
Propylene glycol (PG) is thinner in comparison to VG.
While PG is also used as a food additive product, it may trigger allergic
reactions in some users. If it does, simply switch to a 100% VG base.
PG is the more popular of the two base substances
because it is flavorless, odorless, and better absorbed by your e-liquid
device. Since PG is runnier than VG you
can expect it to produce thinner puffs of vapor and interact with your throat
strongly, feeling more like the hit of an inhaled cigarette. PG also has the quality of being a humectant
and may irritate your throat.
To get the best of both worlds, many brands blend a
base of different ratios of PG and VG. The most common blends are 50%/50% or
80%/20% in favor of PG. The ratio that
works best is determined by your personal preference.
Element #3: Flavorings
Flavorings are usually comprised 10% – 20% of your
e-liquid. Some brands use flavorings
that have been in use for decades for baking and candy making. These extracts and flavorings are already
established as food grade and considered safe. However, some brands are researching,
creating, and using flavorings that have been specially designed to be inhaled
as opposed to tasted. Make sure you
research new developments carefully to make sure they’re safe to consume.
Element #4: Nicotine
Nicotine often consists of 0% – 2.4% of your e-liquid.
Most brands will offer a guide on the
“high to low” system they use to designate the amount of nicotine in your
e-liquid. The amount of nicotine you
need in your e-liquid will be determined by your previous smoking habits.
Element #5: Distilled Water
Distilled, or purified, water is occasionally used to
dilute one or more of the ingredients in your e-liquid. While these five ingredients make up your
e-liquid, it’s the way that they’re combined that creates the effect you
desire. Whether you want thick plumes of
vapor, or a nicely styled throat hit, knowing what each ingredient does will
help you select the e-liquid that’s perfect for your vaping needs and goals.
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