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Vape Juice Ingredients – Everything You Need to Know About the 4 Main Ingredients You’re Vaping On

Vape Juice Bottles with Different Flavors

Vape juice ingredients in your e-liquid are the sole reason you’re coming back for puff after puff on your nicotine vape. But naturally, you’re curious about what exactly it is that you’re vaping on. 

In this post, you’ll get the info you need to make more informed decisions about your vape juice. Because, of course, tweaking the e-liquid ingredients can lead to a profoundly different vaping experience.

Unlike users of dry herb vaporizers—who vape on a natural plant and obviously know what they’re loading into their vapes —you use a vaping product which consists of up to 4 key ingredients: propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, nicotine, and flavorings.

After reading this post, you’ll have an intimate knowledge of:

  • What are e-liquid bases (PG & VG) & how they affect your experience
  • What is nicotine & the difference between freebase and nicotine salts
  • What flavorings are usually used in vape juice & different flavor profiles

Let’s dig in!

Before we plow on, you should know that the two base liquids – Propylene Glycol and Vegetable Glycerin – can be and often are mixed together to create a vape juice line. You can have a 70/30 mix, or a 50/50 mix, and others, depending on the brand. This is because there are subtle differences between the two ingredients which we’ll explore in this post.

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What is Propylene Glycol (PG) in E-Juice?

Your electronic cigarette liquid largely consists of one of two diluents – vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol. These diluents – or e-liquid base ingredients that are used to dilute flavorings and nicotine – are vapable and safe for inhalation. They’re also good at carrying flavor and nicotine and are viscous enough not to leak out of the devices, which is why manufacturers use them.

Propylene glycol — affectionately known as PG – is a transparent, scentless liquid used in a lot of food and pharmaceutical products. It’s in everything from shampoos and shaving creams to dried soups and salad dressings. It’s been found safe for inhalation for long periods and in large concentrations.

PG is used as a base e-juice vaping products because it excels at carrying flavors and produces satisfying amounts of vapor. Right now, we don’t have a better, safer alternative to it, despite recent studies suggesting that it might cause some amount of damage to human lung cells. It’s still considered by experts and the vaping public to be a much safer alternative to tobacco smoke.

bottle of propylene glycol


Effects of PG on Your Vaping Experience

When vaped, this unassuming ingredient still adds a few things to your every puff. PG-dominant juices are preferred by vapers who are looking for an experience similar to traditional cigarette smoke. They mimic the throat hit associated with tobacco. They’re also a better carrier for higher nicotine strength vape juices, unlike a lower-PG juice.

Here’s what you can expect if you’re using a high PG e-liquid:

  • Thinner consistency (less clogging, less residue build-up, easier to use)
  • Less vapor production for a more discreet experience when needed
  • Almost completely unflavored on its own when not mixed with flavorings
  • Best at carrying other flavors (particularly weak flavors like fruit & desserts)
  • Better if you prefer higher nicotine content (such as 12 or 15 milligrams)
  • Best avoided with large coils (sub-ohm vaping) because of leakage issues

What is Vegetable Glycerin (VG) in Vape Liquid?

Vegetable Glycerin, known as VG, is a thick, syrupy substance derived from vegetable oils. It plays a crucial role in crafting those delightful plumes of vapor you can’t get enough of.

Like PG, vegetable glycerin is also clear and odorless, but has a slightly sweet flavor to it. It’s also used pretty much across the board – thanks to its hydration and moisturizing properties, you’ll find it in cosmetics, hand creams, lotions, and more.

It’s also safe for inhaling, but some vapers can suffer from a mild allergic reaction to it. In that case, it’s best to stick with e-juices that contain exclusively PG as a base.

Effects of VG on Your Vaping Experience

person blowing vape clouds with a high VG vape juice


Most VG-heavy juices are a cloud factory! Thanks to its thickness and viscosity, this ingredient is much better at greater cloud production compared to PG. It’s why sub-ohm vapers—those vaping on powerful devices that use a bigger vape coil—prefer high VG (HVG) vape juices.

But, there’s a downside to HVG – it’s not as good at sticking to and carrying flavors and nicotine. That’s the reason behind most HVG concoctions still having around 20% of propylene glycol in them.

Here’s what you can expect if you’re using a HVG e-liquid:

  • Thicker consistency for bigger, bolder vape clouds & cloud-chasing
  • Enhances already sweet flavors and brings out different notes 
  • Makes all flavors slightly sweeter than they would normally be
  • Overall flavor enhancer, especially in 50-50 style juices
  • Best used with low nicotine strength mixes as it’s not the best carrier
  • Not suitable for vape pens or disposables because of clogging issues
Property Propylene Glycol (PG) Vegetable Glycerin (VG)
Consistency Thinner Thicker
Flavor Retention Excellent Good
Throat Hit Strong Soft
Vapor Production Lighter Clouds

Denser Clouds

Common Uses Flavor-enhancer Cloud production

What is Nicotine in E-Liquid?

We’ve talked a lot about base liquids here, and they are important… but it’s the nicotine that plays the starring role in vape juice for most electronic cigarette users. If you’re a smoker trying to quit smoking, think of nicotine as your main e-liquid ingredient.

Nicotine is an addictive substance and it’s the source of cravings smokers feel when they’re trying to quit smoking. High nicotine intake has been associated with problems with cardiovascular health, but nicotine also has some uses in pharmacology. 

It comes from the tobacco plant, but it’s heavily refined before it ends up in your vape juice. There are two main types of nicotine used by e-liquid manufacturers: freebase and nic salts.

How Does Freebase Nicotine in E-Liquid Affect Your Experience?

Freebase nicotine hits you quickly and gives you a strong throat hit, similar to a cigarette. If you’re all about that fast-acting buzz and intense flavor, freebase might be your jam. This type of nicotine is still predominant in the industry. But because it can be unpleasant on the throat at higher concentrations, it’s slowly being substituted by nicotine salts.

How Do Nicotine Salts in E-Juice Affect Your Experience?

If you’re looking for a smoother experience, nicotine salts are where it’s at. They’re gentler on your throat, even at higher nicotine levels. Perfect for those who want a more mellow and comfortable vape. Nicotine salts are made from freebase nicotine that’s combined with salt acids during the refinement process. These acids negate the alkaline nature of nicotine itself, which results in a less harsh vapor that’s smoother on the throat (even at 18-30 mg/ml levels).

Find the Best Device For Your Flavored Vape Juice

The Kind Pen

Click Here to Browse Our E-Juice Vaporizers

What Are Flavorings in Vape Juice?

Okay, let’s talk about the really exciting part of vape juice: flavorings! These are what make vaping so much fun. Think of it like this: nicotine might be the engine that drives your vape, but flavorings are the awesome paint job and custom rims that make it truly yours.

E-juice flavoring chemicals abound – there’s just too much of them to list here. They are made up of different ingredients, sort of like a babushka doll of ingredients, if you will. And they’re very similar to those used by cooks, bakers, and pastry chefs all over the world. Despite what you might read, they’re not toxic ingredients, although you should always make sure to buy from reputable players in the e-juice industry to be on the safe side.

To help with e-liquid blending the right way, most flavorings are suspended in PG and then added to 50/50 and VG-heavy e-liquids. That’s because these flavor concentrates wouldn’t properly bind with just VG itself and would be wasted.

A World of Vape Flavors Awaits You

The best part about vape juice are the endless flavor possibilities. From fruity favorites to decadent desserts, there’s a flavor out there for everyone.

Almost all vape juice blends fall into one of these most popular flavor categories:

  • Fruity: Think classic fruits like apple, strawberry, and watermelon, plus exotic blends and everything in between.
  • Dessert: Satisfy your sweet tooth with flavors like creamy vanilla custard, rich chocolate cake, or even a fruity pie.
  • Minty/Menthol: Cool and refreshing, these flavors are perfect for an all-day vape.
  • Drinks: Enjoy the taste of your favorite beverages, like coffee, cola, lemonade, or even a tropical cocktail.
  • Tobacco: If you’re transitioning from smoking, tobacco flavors can help ease the switch.
  • Sweet/Candy: Indulge your inner child with flavors like gummy bears, cotton candy, or even your favorite childhood cereal.

All Your Vape Juice Questions – Answered?

That’s it – those are the main ingredients found in your disposable vape or bottle of vape fluid. 

Each of these individual ingredients are safe to use and inhale, especially if you’re sticking with reputable e-juice makers. If you’re trying something new from a brand you’re not familiar with, I’d go with those e-liquids that have muted flavors. That’s because it’s usually the flavoring ingredients where we run into problems with allergies and reactions.

But most regular juice on the market out there contains just those four ingredients. Still, combinations are endless and you get a chance to really tailor your experience. Will you go with a higher-nicotine vape juice that’s also a PG-based vape juice? That will always deliver a satisfying vape hit. 

Or will you maybe go with one of the non-popular PG-free juices with lots of flavor chemicals and risk blowing out your vape coils every few days? Again, the choice is yours!

Now that you know the individual ingredients in detail, that’s a much easier choice to make and you can quickly find the right vape juice!

In case we didn’t answer ALL your questions, here’s a handy FAQ list for you to check:

FAQS About Vaping Juice Ingredients

#1. What are the core components of vape juice?

At its essence, basic vape juice is a concoction primarily made up of propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), nicotine, and an array of flavorings. These elements coalesce to form the vapor that tantalizes taste buds while delivering that satisfying throat hit vapers crave.

#2. What is the difference between PG and VG in vape juice?

PG provides a stronger throat hit, carries flavor better, and produces less dense vapor. VG produces thicker, denser vapor clouds, has a slightly sweeter taste, and provides a smoother throat hit. That said, vape juices you buy at vape stores often contain a blend of PG and VG. Common ratios include 50/50, 70/30 (VG/PG), and 80/20 (VG/PG). The ratio affects the vaping experience.

#3. What kind of e-juice do disposable vapes contain?

A disposable vape contains e-juice that is very similar in its basic composition to the e-juice you’d buy in bottles in vape shops. However, most use nicotine salts rather than “freebase” nicotine. Nicotine salts allow for much higher nicotine concentrations (often 20mg/mL to 50mg/mL or even higher) without the harsh throat hit that would be associated with freebase nicotine at those levels.

#4. Is it safe to inhale propylene glycol?

Generally speaking, yes! Propylene glycol is widely regarded as safe for vaping. Because it’s a food additive, it’s even found in many food products, spices, drink mixes, soft drinks, nutritional supplements, cough syrups, and medications. That said, some individuals might have sensitivities to this substance, so it’s wise to pay attention to your body’s signals.

#5. What are nicotine salts?

Nicotine salts are a form of nicotine that is more similar to the nicotine found naturally in tobacco leaves. They provide a smoother throat hit at higher nicotine concentrations compared to “freebase” nicotine, the traditional form used in most e-liquids.

#6. How does freebase nicotine differ from nicotine salts?

Freebase nicotine reigns supreme as the classic choice among vapers; it delivers a robust throat hit that’s hard-hitting. In contrast, nicotine salts glide smoothly down your throat, enabling higher concentrations without causing discomfort. This trait has catapulted nicotine salts into popularity for those seeking a swift kick of satisfaction.

#7. Can I customize the strength of nicotine in my vape juice?

The world of vape juices offers a smorgasbord of nicotine strengths—from 0mg (totally devoid of any nic) all the way up to potent levels. You can tailor your selection based on what suits your personal preferences best and how intense you want that vaping experience to be.

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