While shopping for e-cig devices and accessories, including e-liquids, on the electronic cigarette market, you’ll come across two types of e-liquids: those made with a vegetable glycerine, or VG, base, and those that are made of a propylene glycol, or PG, base.
But what is the difference between these two types of e-liquids, and how can you determine which one is right for you? Continue reading to learn more and to gain information on how you can make the choice that’s right for you.
What is an E-Liquid?
If you’re new to the vaping market, you may be wondering what an e-liquid is in the first place. Basically, this is the liquid that’s transformed into the vapour that you’ll inhale. The e-liquid is placed in your e-cig device and heated with the battery in the device so that vapour clouds can be produced that you then inhale and exhale like you do regular cigarette smoke.
E-liquids come in a variety of flavours and are available for purchase with varying amounts of nicotine so that you can more easily quit your addiction to tobacco cigarettes. They also come in various sizes so that you can sample different flavours without making a long-term commitment to them, or you can purchase large quantities of your favourite flavours to enjoy for a long time and save money.
In terms of ingredients, e-liquids contain very few. They have a propylene glycol or vegetable glycerine base, or a combination of these two ingredients as a base, along with natural and/or artificial flavours, water, and nicotine.
What is the Difference Between Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerine (VG) E-Liquids
Below are some of the major differences between e-liquids made of propylene glycol versus those that are made of vegetable glycerine:
What is PG E-Liquid?
Propylene glycol e-liquids contain animal substance and tends to be thinner because PG itself has a thinner consistency. This means that PG vapour clouds will be thinner than VG vapour clouds. Also, propylene glycol is odourless and tasteless, so it will not affect the flavours that are added to the e-liquid, and this may allow for a more authentic flavour experience. However, PG is a humectant, so it will dry the throat and mouth, especially when used consistently, and this is a common complaint among vapers who have tried PG e-liquids. For those who are used to smoking tobacco cigarettes and who enjoy a strong throat hit, though, PG e-liquids will definitely deliver.
What is VG E-Liquid?
Vegetable glycerine, on the other hand, has a much thicker consistency, so you will get much thicker vapour clouds as a result. However, it does have a slightly sweet flavour of its own, so your e-liquid might be sweeter than a propylene glycol counterpart. During manufacture, care needs to be taken that added flavours will not be affected by the sweetness of VG. Also, even though VG doesn’t cause as many allergic reactions or the intense throat hit and dry mouth associated with PG e-liquids, it may cause a bit of build-up of phlegm in the throat after consistent use.
Why Vegetable Glycerine (VG) E-Liquid is the Better Choice
There are many reasons why people who love vaping choose e-liquids that are made of vegetable glycerine rather than e-liquids that are made with propylene glycol as the base. Five of these reasons are listed below:
- Vegetable glycerine is a thicker solution, so an electronic cigarette that is vaping with VG e-liquid will be able to produce much more vapour and much thicker vapour clouds than the same e-cig device would be able to produce with a propylene glycol solution. Most vapers prefer thick vapour clouds; after all, the clouds are one of the most beloved features of vaping and, often, people feel that the bigger and thicker the clouds, the better.
- Because vegetable glycerine is a plant-based e-liquid, it is ideal for vegetarians and vegans. It is also suitable for those who are following Kosher and Halal diets because it does not contain any animal by-products or alcohol at all.
- For those seeking a more natural ingredient, vegetable glycerine is a better option than propylene glycol, which may be derived from petroleum.
- Vegetable glycerine comes in the same vast array of flavours that propylene glycol e-liquids come in, so you can enjoy everything from a fruit-flavoured e-liquid, to one that is floral, minty, or even nut-based.
Propylene glycol is often associated with allergic reactions, particularly allergic reactions in the throat or irritation throughout the body, while vegetable glycerine is not. Therefore, vegetable glycerine based e-liquids are a better solution for those who are sensitive to propylene glycol or who suffer with allergic reactions of any kind as a result of using products that contain propylene glycol.
