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PG vs. VG: What They Are and How to Use Them

5th Mar 2021 | 460 | upends v

 

1.     The UPENDS Guide on how to Use PG and VG

As a vapor or new entrant into vaping, you will come across many vaping terms among them being the Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG). When you dig deep into the vaping world, you will realize that the PG and VG are the most common base fluids used as e-liquid in e-cigarettes.

To improve on your vaping experience, you need to have some knowledge of both the PG and VG ingredients

 

2.     Propylene Glycol vs. Vegetable Glycerin

2.1.Vegetable Glycerin (VG)

The VG is one of the fluids that is used in e-cigarettes as a single fluid or mixed in proportions with the Propylene Glycol.

Vegetable Glycerin is a natural chemical that is derived from vegetable oils, a factor that makes it a safe chemical for vegetarian vapers. Many vapers consider using VG it has a slightly sweet taste that gives a smoother throat hit than the PG. This property makes VG the best fluid for sub-ohm vaping.

What are the Uses of VG?

In the vaping world, VG plays a major role in as one of the chemicals used in vaping. Many vapers prefer VG over other chemicals because of its vaping experience, among other benefits.

Apart from its main use in the vaping sector, the VG has a wide application over other fields including;

  • VG is used in beauty and cosmetics sectors in products such as make-up, aftershave, deodorant and even mousse.
  • It also plays an important role in the flavoring the pet foods
  • It is further used on foods such as the baked food to give them the necessary moisture.
  • Used in dental care products such as the toothpaste
  • VG plays an important role in providing a thickening effect with some medical creams, jellies and capsule pills

Is VG Safe for Vaping?

As stated, VG is a carbohydrate extracted from plant oils and used in the e-liquid when it comes to the vaping world. The vapes are achieved through a mixture of Propylene glycol (PG) and VG in the ratio of 3:1.

VG is always considered as safe for consumption and has also been assessed for vaping. Most e-liquids contain at least 80%-92% vegetable glycerin. This is the content that produces the smoke-like vapor that is exhaled from the e-cigarette. 

VG contains glycerol one of the most benign organic liquid that makes VG hypo-allergic, non-carcinogenic, non-mutagenic and non-teratogenic. This makes it more metabolic thus easily metabolized in your system, making it safer.

VG is also safe for your health as a vaper as it has been classified as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

It also complies with the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC), United States Pharmacopeia, and European Pharmacopoeia hence approved and marked safe.

It is further manufactured according to the food latest Good Manufacturing Practices and safely shipped in line with the applicable Good Trade and Distribution Practices that make sure no foreign material gets into contact with the consumable VG.

Other factors that mark VG safe include;

  • VG is of low toxicity when inhaled, come in contact with your skin or ingested
  • VG has glycerol that ha low potential of skin irritation
  • Many studies have not indicated any effect on fertility and productive performance hence safe.

Negative effects of VG

Although VG has positive sides, when consumed in large amounts, it may cause some side effects. The effects include;

Allergies

Although the risk of experiencing allergies with the use of VG is low, diabetic individuals may experience allergic issues. The diabetic effects owe to the anabolic hepatic pathway, which may at sometime convert free Glycerol to glucose. The good news to vapers is that it is not easy for this to happen.

Other Side Effects

Some other common side effects noted with VG's inhalation include dry mouth d lips, high levels of thirst, and even a sore throat.

These side effects are mostly experienced by new vapers and can easily be countered by drinking plenty of water and other fluids during the early stages of using your VG e-cigarette.

2.2.Propylene Glycol (PG)

Propylene Glycol (PG) is extracted as a petroleum product that is colorless, odorless and less viscous compared to VG. In vaping, PG serves to provide a ‘throat hit’ that provides a similar sensation like that of tobacco smoking.

PG is the most commonly used suspension fluid cigarettes to add flavor to nicotine and concentrates. This is because it carries more flavor than VG.

What are its uses?

Apart from PG being used as a vaping suspension fluid, it also has a wide range of applications including;

  • Used to flavor pet foods except that of cats.
  • PG is used also used in cosmetic products such as shampoo, baby wipes and even on make-up.
  • You will also found it in toothpaste and other oral hygiene products
  • It is also used on medical products like topical formulations.

Is PG Safe for Vaping?

Different studies have indicated minimal effects of PG marking it as a safe product. The FDA has further classified PG as safe to be used as a food additive. Many studies also indicate the consumption of PG through ingestion rather than consuming it in an aerosol form.

When consumed in calculated amounts, PG has no effect when you use it in vaping. The studies also advise that you should not vape around your pets.

What are its Side Effects?

PG user report allergic effects but on the rare cases; an effect caused by the use of a PG-based e-fluid. To avoid allergic effects, you can opt to use the high-VG juice e-fluid

In case you are a new vaping element user, then you may also experience dehydration symptoms like a dry mouth, too much thirst and even a sore throat. Some other reaction s that may arise may not necessarily be the effects of PG rather the effects of quitting smoking for PG vaping

Now,

3.     How do PG and VG Relate?

PG and VG relate in a number of ways. They include;

  1. Both the PG and VG are odorless
  2. They all belong to the alcohol chemical class; they are classified as sugar alcohols thus used in many consumer products.
  3. They both produce vapor when heated, thus allowing you to inhale them through the vapor.
  4. They are used in different ratios to prepare most e-liquids.
  5. The PG element is less viscous than the VG element.
  6. Whereas PG is a petroleum element, VG is extracted from natural products.
  7. Both the PG and VG have no medical effects when used as vaping elements.
  8. When vaped, the PG and VG cause different throat and mouth sensations.

4.     Wholesale Vape Source: UPENDS.com

UPENDS.com is the leading developer and wholesaler of the best vaping devices.  UPENDS.com allows you to enjoy the best vaping experience at a wholesale price.

The products by UPENDS.com are developed in a sleek and presented in a pen stylus design that is easy to carry along allowing you to enjoy vaping anytime, anywhere.

With UPENDS.com, you are assured of a great value disposable vape.

5.     Lets have a Look at the Common FAQs Associated with PG and VG

What is the Recommended VG/PG Ratio?

The recommended ratio between the PG to VG is 3:1. However, this can vary depending on the specific e-liquid vape you wish to achieve.

Here are the different experiences on different PG/VG ratio;

Smoothness- when you use high VG levels against low VG levels, you will realize a smooth feeling on your throat. Here you may lose the normal flavor that you expect, but you can still experience the best flavor by producing more vapors by using more power. Even with the use of more power, you need to maintain the recommended Wattage/Voltage limits on your atomizer.

Throat Hit- some vapers enjoy a sharp throat hit when vaping, and if you also fall in this category, then you need a high amount of PG vape. Now that the PG contains better flavor than the VG, you will enjoy a good flavor.

Cloud Chasing- this is a term used to refer to exhaling a dense cloud of vapor. This is usually performed as a competitive activity, and here you need a high VG level for a high level of the vapor cloud.

Stealth Vaping- you may be too busy to sit in a private place to vape. For private vaping without many people noticing, then you need to produce as minimal vapor as possible, and this is only possible with the use of a high amount of VG than PG.

What Effects does PG have on my Skin?

When the PG compounds break down, they are not harmful, but with frequent exposure to a more PG amounts, you may experience skin irritation.

Where to Buy PG/VG Products?

VG/PG products are readily available on the leading online shopping platforms, and you can easily obtain them online.

6.     Conclusion

Both VG/PG are useful chemicals, and their concept is easy to understand. As a vaper, you need to fully understand the best ratio of PG: VG you can use for the best experience. You also need to check on your vaping device that it accommodates different vaping ratios. There are no vaping fixed rules, you only need to choose your best taste and enjoy it.