What is in Vape Juice?

What is in Vape Juice?  

 What is in vape juice can vary by brand, but they generally have similar ingredients in common. E-liquid can vary depending on the flavour, nicotine concentration, and composition; however, they all usually have the same basic ingredients: nicotine, propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG) and flavouring. 

 

Nicotine (Nicotine Salts vs Free Base) 

Most e-cigarettes (that do not contain CBD or THC) will contain nicotine in one of two forms, Nicotine Salts or Free Base. Several vaping brands create e-liquids, pods, and e-cigarettes with 0% nicotine. However, when wondering what you can find in the average vape juice, nicotine is a good place to start.  

Nicotine salts are the natural state of nicotine, the same you would find in tobacco leaves. Many disposable and pod-based vape systems rely on nicotine salts as they are found in tobacco leaves. Nicotine salts contain a lower PH balance creating a smoother feeling on the throat.  

Freebase nicotine has a higher PH base than its counterpart nicotine salts; the throat hit is more distinct and, in some cases, can feel quite harsh. Especially for a new vape user. Freebase nicotine is typically found in e-liquids and devices with higher wattage power, such as vape tanks.  

  

Vegetable Glycerin and Propylene Glycol 

Vegetable glycerin is a substance that has been approved for use by Health Canada; it is derived from plants and used in a number of products (such as cosmetics, sweeteners, etc.). In vape juice, vegetable glycerin is used to create the smoke-like vapour that is produced when exhaling. Vegetable glycerin is hypo-allergenic and non-carcinogenic and has low instances of toxicity and irritation when consumed or applied.  

Vegetable glycerin is derived from vegetable oil and is considered vegetarian. It produces a smoother hit and is used to create large vapour clouds; however, e-liquid that is high in vegetable glycerin can cause the coil to clog faster. 

Propylene glycol is similar to vegetable glycerin; it is approved by Health Canada for use and can be found in a number of cosmetic and medicinal products. Propylene glycol serves the same purpose as vegetable glycerin when used in e-liquid; it produces the smoke-like vapour that is generated on the exhale.  

Propylene glycol is less thick than vegetable glycerin and is used to produce a “throat hit, also known as “the burning” sensation that smokers feel in the throat when smoking a cigarette. It also tends to have a more distinct flavour than vegetable glycerin-based liquids and aids with better delivery of vape flavours. 

 

Vape Flavouring & Vape Flavour Concentrates 

Finally, most vape juices contain some form of flavouring (unless they are flavourless); manufacturers use a variety of food-grade ingredients to develop the taste of the vape juice. These flavour concentrates can be composed of natural or artificial ingredients developed by flavour mixologists to create the desired taste when inhaled.  

Flavour concentrates typically make up less than 10% of the entire e-liquid formulation. While these ingredients are deemed safe for consumption, if you have an existing allergy you might want to confirm these ingredients with the vape manufacturer to determine if they are safe for you.  

 

What is in Allo’s vape juice?  

ALLO devices typically have a 50/50 ratio of PG/VG, giving you an even balance between flavour, smoothness, and clouds.  

Allo currently offers a 20 mg/mL and HIT formulation for nicotine content. If you are new to vaping and unsure what nicotine strength to use, you should consider your old smoking habits. If you smoked socially or only a few cigarettes a day, you likely would be more comfortable with the regular 20mg/mL. If you had smoked more frequently than that and enjoyed a harsher “throat hit,” you may want to opt for the HIT formulation.   

Both the regular 20mg/mL and HIT contain no more than 20mg of nicotine per mL; the HIT utilizes a different combination of freebase nicotine and nicotine salts to emulate the more distinct sensation that is more similar to smoking a cigarette.  

Whether you call it e-liquid, e-juice or vape juice, the ingredients in vape juice offer an alternative to smoking tobacco and cigarettes. Allo’s vape juice is offered in various flavours, providing a smooth and satisfying experience. Check out our vape juice available in Allo disposable devices and Sync pods.

If you would like to learn more about which Allo device is right for you, consider this article: Which Device Should I Use?