What is the composition of an e-liquid for an electronic cigarette?

An e-liquid is intended to be used in an electronic cigarette (or electronic vaporizer) to reproduce and replace the use of a conventional cigarette. An e-liquid has 3 basic ingredients common to all e-liquids:

• a neutral base PG-VG,
• nicotine,
• one or more aromas.

Are also present in the composition of some e-liquids:

• one or more additives,
• demineralized water and alcohol.

A base of Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG) (commonly called PG/VG base)

The bases of our e-liquids are composed of propylene glycol of vegetable origin (PG), and vegetable glycerin (VG). We then speak of a PG/VG e-liquid base. All e-liquid manufacturers do not necessarily use a plant-based PG, this is one of our particularities.

We then prepare nicotine PG – VG liquid bases by adding USP nicotine at different rates. We also make nicotine-free bases.

Propylene Glycol and Vegetable Glycerin are therefore complementary and are the first elements that will constitute the e-liquid. 

Propylene Glycol or PG is a well-known component and it is considered non-toxic even with repeated and prolonged exposure. It can be derived from the petrochemical industry or of vegetable origin; we only use plant-based PG for our e-liquids. It is both a preservative and helps to create a vapour. It has been used, for example, for a very long time in inhaler medicines. It has many properties: first of all, PG makes it possible to homogenize the mixture, preserve the taste qualities of the aromas and create steam.

Vegetable glycerin or VG is also a very well-known additive. This VG creates a vapour that you can see and has a slightly sweet taste. However, it tends to “suffocate” aromas, which is why it is used in addition to PG and not as one of the main constituents.

To know the rate of PG/VG of your e-liquid and to choose it well, it is necessary to look at the quantity of each of the two components present in the e-liquid and this is indicated in percentage (for example 50/50 or 20/80). The choice of your dosage will induce the sensations felt during your vape, but the most used and the most common remains the 50/50 PG/VG which brings a good balance between the production of vapour and the aromatic rendering.

To know: the PG-VG base represents about 65% of a ready-to-vape, against about 80% for a large format without nicotine.

Nicotine in certain liquids (ranging from 3 to 20 mg/ml)

Nicotine, whose use is obvious, is also a very well-known substance. It is an addictive substance which can be toxic (even in skin contact) if used in very high doses or if an unaccustomed person is exposed to it. Nicotine can be synthesized, but it is much more expensive to manufacture in this form; we, therefore, prefer a natural version.

European regulations limit the maximum rate of nicotine in e-liquid to 20mg/ml. Nicotine, on the other hand, cannot be contained only in 10 ml bottles. Nicotine produces a feeling called a “hit” when smoking or vaping that feels like a pinch in the throat. This “hit” is a phenomenon sought by people who are new to vaping because it is similar to the feeling you have when you smoke a classic cigarette.

There is also another form of nicotine, called nicotine salt, which has recently arrived on the vape market. The Nicotine Salt E-Liquid has been designed because it has been proven to have notable advantages for the vape. For first-time buyers, in particular, it offers sensations very similar to those of the classic cigarette since the nicotine will spread more quickly in the body and therefore offer a rapid nicotine intake, the lack will be more filled. The e liquids with nicotine salt also offer a softer “hit” feeling in the throat, which allows you to vape at higher levels of nicotine without having irritation in the throat, with a better gustatory rendering of the flavours.

To better understand the characteristics of nicotine salt and its use in vaping, we invite you to follow this link.

One or more flavours

We add natural and food flavourings according to the composition of our products to create the healthiest e-liquids. The aromas used in our e liquids are all-natural and food extracts selected for their highest degree of purity. They are the ones that will give flavour to liquids. Depending on the dosage and the mixtures between aromas, some flavours will be more pronounced than others, this is what makes the taste of an e-liquid unique. In vaping, e-liquid flavours are divided into six categories: 

• the  classic aromas corresponding to the tobacco flavours (brown, blond, blend, Cuban, etc.)
• fruity aromas that bring together flavours inspired by fruits (pineapple, peach, lemon, etc.)
• gourmet aromas, with creamy, caramelized flavours or more elaborate recipes such as La Chose to name a few
• menthol flavours and its e-liquids sweet mint, chlorophyll or Mint Tea, where the sweetness of mint is honoured 
• the fresh aromas that bring together the icy or polar flavours, where we find fruity-fresh e-liquids like the Polaris or the very chilling Ice Mint
• beverage flavours that group together e-liquids inspired by beverages (lemonade, diabolo, cola, etc.).

One or more additives

To further refine your recipe or to give it a twist of flavours, it is possible to add an additive to your e-liquid. Intended for homemade production (DIY), these additives, therefore, allow aromatic adjustments. 

What hazardous substances are banned from e-liquids?

E-liquids have banned from their recipes many components deemed toxic, and therefore dangerous for the consumer:

• ambrox: an element which reproduces the smell of tobacco but which carries risks of toxicity on inhalation;
• paraben: is an endocrine disruptor which presents carcinogenic risks;
• sucralose: a flavour enhancer, sucralose presents harmful risks when it is heated and reaches a high temperature;
• diacetyl: component with a buttery taste which, like ambrox, is dangerous when inhaled.

All e-liquid manufacturers scrupulously respect this blacklist. Moreover, most e-liquids want to be exemplary in the choice of raw materials that make up their e-liquids, as well as in the transparency of the manufacturing process. 

Different proportions between ready-to-vape and large format to mix

For a large format without nicotine, the composition of the liquid differs a little from that of an already mixed ready-to-vape. The large 50ml formats are composed in such a way as to add boosters and additives, and therefore be diluted. The notable differences are that:

• the large formats without nicotine are first overdosed in aroma to avoid losing flavour when the nicotine booster is added,
• the PG-VG base represents about 65% of a ready-to-vape, compared to about 80% for a large format without nicotine.