PG and VG Explained
When you are choosing a new bottle of e-liquid, you may have heard the term ‘PG’ and ‘VG’. PG stands for ‘Propylene Glycol’ and VG stands for ‘Vegetable Glycerin’.
Both PG and VG are the main ingredients found in all bottles of e-liquid, whether you are looking at the latest IVG shortfill or Elux Legend nic salt. The ratio of PG to VG listed on the front of your e-liquid bottle plays an important role. Various ratios of each ingredient will alter all aspects of your vaping experience, from cloud production, throat hit, flavour and vape texture.
What is PG?
PG stands for Propylene Glycol, an odourless, colourless and flavourless ingredient with a mildly sweet taste which acts as an excellent base mixture to add flavourings and nicotine to e-liquid.
The PG in e-liquid provides a ‘throat hit’ (the feeling of when inhaling on a cigarette). A higher ratio of PG in e-liquid will provide a more intense sensation on your throat with a slight dry and scratchy feeling (this is a good thing!), helping smokers transition to vaping more easily.
PG carries flavour extremely well, providing complex layers of flavour to your e-liquid. Whilst PG vapour production is less than VG vape juice, you will still produce discreet vapour clouds.
Propylene glycol has been classified as "Generally Recognised as Safe" (GRAS) by both the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the WHO (World Health Organisation).
Food grade PG is thinner and less viscous when compared to VG heavy e-liquids, producing less vapour and requires less heat to turn e-liquid into a vapour that can be inhaled.
PG and VG is mixed in various ratios in e-liquid to create a base that nicotine and flavouring can be added to. A 50/50 PG/VG ratio e-liquid mix is most common for MTL (mouth to lung) vaping and will provide a balanced vaping experience with a satisfying throat hit with discreet clouds of vapour.
By slightly altering the mix for example to 60/40 PG/VG you will experience a slightly stronger throat hit with even less clouds.
More PG = ‘More throat hit’
Other Uses for Propylene Glycol
Outside of e-liquid, PG is widely utilised in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries, serving various purposes such as a softening agent, humectant (moisture absorber), skin conditioner, solvent, sweetener, and preservative.
You'll encounter PG in numerous everyday products, including baked goods to maintain moisture, dried soups, ice cream, and salad dressing. Additionally, PG plays a role in cleansers, bath soaps, shampoos, sanitisers, as well as oral, injectable, and topical pharmaceutical formulations.
What are the Potential Side Effects of PG?
The PG in e-liquid can cause dry mouth and throat, this is due to PG being a humectant (water-absorbing properties), which draws in moisture from the air and turns it into a vapour or aerosol that can be inhaled.
Those that have a PG sensitivity may experience throat irritation, headaches, nausea (feeling sick), coughing, dry eyes, itching, congestion, eczema and wheezing.
PG allergies are rare, and only affect a small proportion of the UK population. If you have experienced any of these symptoms when vaping, try switching your e-liquid to one with a higher concentration of VG to help alleviate your symptoms, and consult a medical professional if symptoms persist.
What is VG?
VG stands for Vegetable Glycerin or Vegetable Glycerine, an odourless, colourless, sweet-tasting natural ingredient (mainly extracted from soy, palm, rapeseed and coconut), which acts as an excellent base mixture to add flavourings and nicotine to e-liquid.
The VG in e-liquid provides ‘vapour clouds’ (large, fluffy clouds of vapour). A higher ratio of VG in e-liquid will produce a larger volume of cloud production with a smoother ‘throat hit’ ideal for sub-ohm vaping.
VG-based e-liquid is much thicker when compared to PG-based e-liquids with a syrup-like consistency, and requires more heat to turn the e-liquid into a vapour.
To effectively vaporise thicker e-liquids at higher temperatures, you'll need a sub-ohm vape kit and a sub-ohm tank, paired with specially designed vape coils. These low-resistance coils are optimised to efficiently wick thicker e-liquids and withstand the increased heat necessary to heat these e-liquids to turn them into a vapour.
High VG concentration e-liquids provide a significantly less throat hit with a smoother draw when compared to PG juices. The VG/PG blend really makes a difference in e-liquid and will alter the texture of vapour for direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping with thick vapour clouds. If you are looking for VG vapour production, you want to opt for a low strength e-liquid, usually 3mg or 6mg for a silky-smooth and satisfying draw.
VG is a 100% natural product derived as a by-product from plant oils, which has been distilled for purification. Ideal for health-conscious vapers, or those with allergies to PG vape juice looking for less synthetic ingredients in their vape juice.
Vegetable glycerin has been classified as "Generally Recognised as Safe" (GRAS) by both the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the WHO (World Health Organisation).
High VG e-liquid is generally classed as anything 70% VG and higher, these liquids will deliver a mild throat hit, bold flavour and satisfying plumes of vapour.
VG heavy vape juice doesn’t provide as much throat hit when compared to PG e-liquids and therefore isn’t an ideal choice for first time vapers looking for a similar sensation to cigarette smoking.
VG and PG is mixed in various ratios in e-liquid to create a base that nicotine and flavouring can be added to. A 70/30 VG/PG e-liquid mix is most common for DTL (direct to lung) vaping and will provide dense vapour clouds from your vape.
More VG = ‘Larger clouds of vapour’
Other Uses for Vegetable Glycerine
Outside of e-liquid, VG finds primary use in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. In food, it serves as both a sweetener and a humectant, which retains moisture. You'll find it in familiar products such as ice cream, marshmallows, soups, canned fruits, precooked pasta, baked goods, breakfast cereals and frozen yogurt.
VG's versatility extends to cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, where it moisturises skin, and enhances hydration. You'll find it in familiar products such as toothpaste, sunscreen, facial cleansers, hair products, cough medicine, and hand sanitiser.
What are the Potential Side Effects of VG?
VG vape juice is generally considered of low toxicity, safe for human consumption and hypo-allergenic, but in rare cases VG sensitivity may include, dry mouth, dizziness, headaches, sore throats, cough, heart palpitations, rash, and throat irritations. VG allergy may vary depending on individual sensitivity and tolerance. Consult a medical professional if symptoms persist.
What are the Ingredients in E-Liquid?
Most e-liquids are made up from four main ingredients; Propylene Glycol (PG), Vegetable Glycerine (VG), Flavourings and in most cases Nicotine.
What does PG and VG do in E-Liquid?
PG is mainly used in e-liquid to provide a throat hit and great flavour, while VG is used to create large clouds of vapour with a gentle inhale.
What does PG and VG Ratio in E-Liquid Mean?
Almost all e-liquid blends will contain a ratio of PG (Propylene Glycol) and VG (Vegetable Glycerine) as base diluents. The PG/VG ratio is represented by a percentage, such as 50/50 PG/VG will include 50% PG and 50% VG which will provide a medium throat hit with a discreet amount of cloud. High VG e-liquids often feature a 70/30 VG/PG blend, which means that 70% VG is blended with 30% PG to provide a smoother throat hit with larger clouds of vapour.
The ratio of PG and VG in e-liquid determines the flavour, throat hit and amount of vapour produced as you vape. The concentration ratio of PG and VG also dictates the style of vape kit you need to use.
High VG e-liquids are thicker in viscosity, making them more suitable for sub ohm devices, tanks and coils as they are designed to heat up thicker liquids without clogging, and can provide enough heat to turn the syrup-like liquid into vapour to be inhaled.
PG e-liquids are thinner in consistency, and best paired with low wattage devices like pod systems and pen vapes. The water-like consistency is more easily absorbed by the smaller wicking channels and cotton in MTL vape tanks which required less heat to vaporise the vape juice.
- Flavour: PG carries flavour exceptionally well, better than VG in most cases
- Throat Hit: PG delivers stronger throat hits compared to VG
- Smooth Inhale: VG provides a smoother and more gentle throat hit
- Cloud Production: VG delivers larger vapour clouds compared to PG
- Vape Kit: VG heavy vape liquids are compatible with sub ohm tanks and high wattage devices. PG vape liquids are compatible with low wattage devices
What is the Best PG/VG Ratio for MTL Vaping?
50-70% PG e-liquids are best suited for Mouth To Lung (MTL) vaping, this is due to vape juice with a high concentration of PG work better in low wattage devices. This e-liquid ratio will provide flavour and a satisfying throat hit with discreet vapour clouds.
What is the Best PG/VG Ratio for DTL Vaping?
70-90% VG e-liquids are best suited for Direct To Lung (DTL) vaping, this is due to vape juice with larger amounts of VG work better in high power output devices. This e-liquid ratio will provide thick, sweet clouds of vapour for a smoother, less harsh throat hit.
