The quality and composition of your e-liquid have a direct impact on your vaping experience. When your e-liquid makes contact with the heat of your coil, you naturally want the best flavor and vapor production possible. While some vape enthusiasts consider the options of a propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG) based e-liquids a matter of personal preference, there are significant advantages to selecting e-liquids made with natural vegetable glycerin.
To understand the many significant advantages of selecting products made with vegetable glycerin, it helps to understand the differences between these two distinctively different vape bases.
Propylene glycol is a byproduct created during the manufacturing of fossil fuels, so it's considered an organic compound. This oily substance is typically used as a food additive and preservative. Propylene glycol is commonly found in cake mixes, frozen meals, cosmetics, medications, and personal products like toothpaste. It is also used in theatrical fog machines and many e-liquids.
A 2017 review published in the Global Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science notes that up to 90 percent of the e-liquids available to consumers contain propylene glycol. Although propylene glycol is generally recognized as safe for human consumption, this commonly used diluent is well known for its ability to absorb moisture and trigger allergies. In fact, many people new to vaping find they are sensitive to propylene glycol-based e-liquids. If you are sensitive to PG, you may be painfully aware of some of the following symptoms:
It is also not uncommon for less experienced vapers to complain of other common discomforts associated with vaping, including a consistently dry mouth and increased thirst. Many also irritated nasal passages and nosebleeds because of the way propylene glycol absorbs moisture and dries mucous membranes.
Even vapers who are not sensitive to the drying effects of PG may still potentially be at risk for future health complications. Several studies suggest the at PG can break down into formaldehyde under extreme heat. Some studies suggest that vapers using PG-based e-liquids are subjected to more formaldehyde than those who use combustible tobacco products.
While propylene glycol is considered an organic compound, it is still derived from petroleum products. Vegetable glycerin is acquired from plants. Vegetable glycerin is a clear fatty liquid typically derived from soy, coconut, or palm oil. Manufacturers extract glycerine by heating vegetable oils under pressure. The resulting glycerine is then typically steam distilled to remove the color and odor of the original plant source. Vegetable glycerin is sweet, syrupy, and mixes well with water. Vegetable glycerin also has a long shelf life and does not oxidize easily.
You will typically find vegetable glycerin used as a thickening agent and to keep chocolate soft and smooth. When used to create the e-liquids that fuel your vaping experience, you will likely find vegetable glycerin-based e-liquids provide a much smoother, more satisfying vape experience. Consider the following benefits:
While propylene glycol is technically not animal based, those looking for natural products typically prefer vaping liquids crafted with vegetable glycerin. For vegan-friendly, gluten-free e-liquids, consider the value of Velvet Cloud.
Velvet Cloud makes some of the most natural liquids found anywhere in the marketplace. Our gluten-free vape blends are vegan-friendly, crafted without artificial colorings, artificial sweeteners, chemical pesticides or unnatural additives. All Velvet Cloud products are created in micro batches in our certified ISO7 lab.