If you are new to vaping, you may wonder what exactly goes into a bottle of vape juice. The liquid you use in your device is carefully blended to create flavour, vapour, and in many cases nicotine delivery. Understanding what vape juice is made of helps you choose the right type for your needs and gives you peace of mind about what you are inhaling. Most e liquids contain just a handful of ingredients, each with a specific role.
The main ingredients in vape juice
Vape juice is typically made of four core ingredients: propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG), flavourings, and nicotine. Some juices are nicotine free, but the other three ingredients are almost always present.
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Propylene Glycol (PG)
PG is a thin, odourless liquid used in many food and pharmaceutical products. In vape juice, it carries flavour concentrates and nicotine. Because it is thinner, it absorbs flavour well and produces a sharper throat hit that many ex-smokers appreciate. High PG liquids deliver clear flavour but smaller vapour clouds. -
Vegetable Glycerine (VG)
VG is a thicker, slightly sweet liquid derived from plant oils. In vape juice it is responsible for vapour production. Higher VG levels create larger, denser clouds and a smoother inhale. VG also softens flavours slightly, giving juices a rounder, smoother taste. Sub ohm vapers often prefer high VG liquids for cloud chasing and a smoother throat feel. -
Flavourings
Food-grade flavour concentrates give each juice its unique taste. These can range from fruity blends to desserts, menthols, and traditional tobacco flavours. The quality of flavourings plays a big role in how satisfying a juice is. Some are simple single flavours, while others are complex blends designed to mimic layered tastes. -
Nicotine (optional)
Nicotine is included in many vape juices to satisfy cravings. It comes in two main forms: freebase and nicotine salts. Freebase provides a stronger throat hit and is often used in lower VG blends, while nic salts deliver smoother hits at higher strengths. Some bottles, known as shortfills, come without nicotine but leave space for vapers to add nicotine shots to customise their strength.
How the ingredients work together
The balance of PG and VG determines how a juice performs in your device. A 50/50 blend gives equal parts flavour and vapour, making it a popular choice for beginners and pod systems. A 70VG blend prioritises vapour production and smoothness, making it ideal for sub ohm kits. High PG blends provide strong flavour and throat hit but less vapour.
Flavourings are dissolved into this PG and VG base, then nicotine is added if required. The result is a liquid tailored to deliver flavour, vapour, and nicotine in a way that matches your preferred style of vaping.
Shortfills and large bottles
In the UK, bottles containing nicotine are limited to 10ml by law. To get around this restriction, many vapers choose shortfills, which are larger bottles without nicotine. These bottles leave space for nic shots to be added, allowing you to customise strength while still enjoying bigger volumes of juice. Shortfills are most often sold in 100ml bottles, giving excellent value and convenience. If you are interested in trying these larger bottles, browse our 100ml vape juice collection where you will find a wide range of flavours and blends.
Because shortfills start without nicotine, they often last longer unopened than small pre-mixed bottles. Once you add your nic shots, the shelf life becomes similar to other juices. For more detail on how they work, including mixing tips and storage advice, visit our 100ml shortfill guide.
Why quality matters
Not all vape juices are created equal. The quality of PG, VG, and especially flavourings can vary between brands. Premium juices use higher-grade ingredients that deliver cleaner taste and smoother vapour. Cheaper options may cut corners, resulting in muted flavours or juices that clog coils quickly. Checking for reputable brands and buying from trusted suppliers is the best way to ensure your juice contains safe, food-grade ingredients.
Safety of vape juice ingredients
PG and VG are both widely used in food and medicine and are considered safe for consumption. The flavourings in vape juice are also food grade, though they are designed for inhalation when vapourised rather than for eating. Nicotine is addictive, but it is the same substance found in cigarettes and nicotine replacement therapies. Used responsibly, vape juice is far safer than smoking traditional tobacco, which contains thousands of harmful chemicals.
Final thoughts
Vape juice is made of just a few ingredients: PG, VG, flavourings, and sometimes nicotine. Each plays a role in creating the flavour, vapour, and throat sensation you feel when vaping. The balance between PG and VG shapes whether the juice delivers sharper flavour, smoother clouds, or a mix of both. Flavourings create variety, and nicotine satisfies cravings when included.
By understanding what goes into your bottle, you can make better choices about which type of vape juice is right for you. Whether you prefer high PG blends for clarity, high VG for clouds, or versatile 100ml shortfills for value, there is a bottle to suit every preference.
To see how PG and VG affect throat hit and cloud density read what are pg and vg. If you want flavour ideas that match those bases, scan The Most Popular Flavours for 100ml Shortfill Bottles.