What’s in Your Vape Juice? A 2025 Guide to E-Liquid Ingredients + Top Picks

The Science Behind Vape E-Liquids: What’s in Your Vape Juice?

As vaping continues to gain popularity, more and more users are becoming curious about the contents of their e-liquids. Whether you're a newbie or an experienced vaper, understanding what's inside your vape juice is essential for both your safety and overall experience. This post breaks down the key ingredients in e-liquids and how they impact your vaping experience, while also showcasing a selection of both nicotine salt e-liquids and short fill bottles to help you make an informed choice when selecting your next vape juice.

What’s Inside Vape E-Liquids?

E-liquids generally consist of four main ingredients, each playing a specific role in your vaping experience:

1. Propylene Glycol (PG)

2. Vegetable Glycerin (VG)

3. Nicotine

4. Flavourings

Each of these components serves a unique purpose and contributes to the taste, throat hit, and vapour production you enjoy. Let’s dive into the details.

1. Propylene Glycol (PG): The Throat Hit Provider

Propylene Glycol (PG) is a synthetic compound commonly used in food and pharmaceutical products. It’s the ingredient that gives you the “throat hit” sensation when you inhale, which closely mimics the feeling of smoking traditional cigarettes.

Science of PG: PG is thinner in consistency compared to VG, making it ideal for delivering a strong throat hit. It also carries flavour better than VG, allowing for a more intense and sharper taste experience.

• Common concentrations: PG is typically found in a 50/50 VG/PG ratio in many MTL (mouth-to-lung) e-liquids, providing the perfect balance of flavour and throat hit.

2. Vegetable Glycerin (VG): The Cloud Creator

Vegetable Glycerin (VG) is a thicker liquid that is derived from vegetable oils. It's known for producing dense clouds of vapour, which is why it’s commonly used in sub-ohm devices.

Science of VG: VG is naturally sweet and has a smooth texture, which helps in creating thicker vapour clouds. Its higher viscosity allows for smoother inhalation, while the sweetness can enhance the overall taste of the vape juice.

• Common concentrations: VG is often found in higher ratios (70/30 or 80/20 VG/PG) in sub-ohm e-liquids to maximise vapour production.

3. Nicotine: The Key to Satisfaction

Nicotine is the addictive substance found in tobacco, and it’s the main reason many smokers transition to vaping. E-liquids come in different nicotine types and strengths, catering to a range of preferences.

• Freebase Nicotine: The traditional form of nicotine in e-liquids, known for its stronger throat hit and higher nicotine strengths.

• Nicotine Salts: This form of nicotine is smoother and allows for higher nicotine concentrations (e.g., 20mg or more) without a harsh throat hit. Nicotine salts are more easily absorbed into the bloodstream, making them a popular choice for smokers who are looking to quit.

Nicotine Strengths: Nicotine strength is typically measured in milligrams (mg) per millilitre (ml), so a 3mg/ml e-liquid contains 3 milligrams of nicotine for every millilitre of e-liquid. Nicotine strengths vary depending on the type of vape you use (e.g., 3mg for sub-ohm devices, 10-20mg for MTL vapes).

4. Flavourings: Making Vaping Delicious

Flavourings are what give your vape juice its distinct taste. Whether you're a fan of fruity flavours or prefer something sweet, there's a flavour out there to suit everyone. Flavourings used in e-liquids are food-grade and typically derived from either natural or artificial sources.

Types of Flavours:

• Fruity: Such as strawberry, blueberry, or tropical blends.

• Menthol: Refreshing minty flavours.

• Tobacco: For those who want a more traditional smoking experience.

• Dessert: For a sweeter, richer vaping experience, like vanilla, chocolate, or caramel.

Natural vs Artificial Flavours: Natural flavours are typically sourced from real fruits and herbs, while artificial flavours are chemically created but still safe for consumption. Both have their merits, but artificial flavours often offer a stronger and longer-lasting taste.

How Are E-Liquids Made?

E-liquids are carefully crafted in labs, with each ingredient mixed to create a specific ratio. Once mixed, e-liquids may be steeped (a process similar to aging) to allow the flavours to blend and develop more complexity.

Once steeped, the e-liquids are tested for quality assurance, bottled, and labeled. During this process, manufacturers must follow strict regulations to ensure the e-liquids are safe to consume.

Safety Considerations

While most ingredients used in e-liquids are considered safe for use in controlled amounts, it’s important to purchase from reputable sources to avoid exposure to harmful chemicals or poorly-made products.

• Nicotine Poisoning: Nicotine can be toxic in high doses, so it's essential to handle it carefully. Always store e-liquids away from children and pets.

• Allergic Reactions: Some individuals may have sensitivities to certain ingredients, like PG, so always check the ingredient list if you’re unsure about your sensitivities.

• Quality Testing: Look for e-liquids that have undergone rigorous testing to ensure quality and safety.

Product Recommendations: Best E-Liquids for 2025 (Nic Salt & Short Fill Bottles)

Now that we understand the ingredients in e-liquids, here are some of the top recommendations in both nicotine salt e-liquids and short fill bottles to help you enhance your vaping experience.

1. Bar Juice Nic Salt E-Liquid

• Flavour: A variety of flavours, such as Blueberry Sour Raspberry, Watermelon, and Pink Bubba, perfect for disposable vape lovers transitioning to refillable pod systems.

• Nicotine Strength: 10mg and 20mg

• Why Try It: Bar Juice offers smooth, satisfying flavours that are easy on the throat, and they’re ideal for MTL vapers looking for a more customizable experience.

2. Elfliq by Elf Bar Nic Salt E-Liquid

• Flavour: Popular Elf Bar flavours like Apple Peach, Blue Razz Lemonade, and Cotton Candy Ice.

• Nicotine Strength: 10mg and 20mg

• Why Try It: Elfliq provides the same bold and fruity flavours as Elf Bar disposables but in a refillable form, perfect for those who want a longer-lasting, high-quality vape.

3. Elux Legend Nic Salt E-Liquid

• Flavour: Flavours like Strawberry Watermelon Bubblegum, Triple Mango and Summer Dream.

• Nicotine Strength: 10mg and 20mg

• Why Try It: Elux Legend offers smooth and intense flavours that are perfect for MTL users seeking a satisfying vape with strong fruity profiles.

4. Hayati Pro Max Nic Salt E-Liquid

• Flavour: Refreshing flavours like Strawberry Raspberry Blueberry, Cherry Cola and Pink Lemonade.

• Nicotine Strength: 10mg and 20mg

• Why Try It: Known for its vibrant, fruity flavours, Hayati Pro Max is a must-try for those who want a balanced, smooth vape experience without a harsh throat hit.

5. RandM Tornado 7000 Nic Salt E-Liquid

• Flavour: Exotic flavours such as Blueberry Raspberry, Cool Mint, and Strawberry Kiwi.

• Nicotine Strength: 10mg and 20mg

• Why Try It: RandM’s Tornado e-liquids deliver exceptional flavour with smooth hits, making them ideal for vapers who enjoy exotic blends with less harshness.

6. Seriously 100ml Vape Juice

• Flavour: Refreshing blends like Blackcurrant Lemonade, Fantasia Lemon and Lime Berry.

• Nicotine Strength: 0mg (2 Nicotine Shots included with purchase)

• Why Try It: Seriously’s range of 100ml short fills provides massive value for vapers who enjoy refreshing and fruity flavours with the option to add nicotine according to their preference.

7. Yeti 100ml Vape Juice

• Flavour: Ice-cold menthol flavours such as Yeti Ice Orange Mango, and Cola Ice Cold.

• Nicotine Strength: 0mg (2 Nicotine Shots included with purchase)

• Why Try It: Yeti is perfect for menthol lovers who crave icy, refreshing flavours, delivering a frosty experience with bold fruit undertones.

8. Hayati Pro Max 50/50 Vape Juice

• Flavour: Fruity blends like Blueberry Raspberry, Strawberry Raspberry Ice, and Pineapple Ice.

• Nicotine Strength: 0mg (2 Nicotine Shots included with purchase)

• Why Try It: Hayati Pro Max 50/50 delivers a smooth balance of PG and VG, offering a satisfying vape for those who prefer a more traditional MTL experience without sacrificing flavour.

9. Unreal Series Vape Juice

• Flavour: Unique, complex flavours like Lemon Raspberry, Blackcurrant Cherry, and Mango Lychee.

• Nicotine Strength: 0mg (2 Nicotine Shots included with purchase)

• Why Try It: Unreal Series is perfect for vapers who want bold, exotic flavours with a high-quality vaping experience.

Conclusion: What’s in Your Vape Juice Matters

Understanding the science behind your vape juice helps you make informed choices about what’s inside your e-liquids. Whether you’re vaping nicotine salts for smoother hits or enjoying the large clouds from short fills, knowing the components of your e-liquid can elevate your vaping experience.

With a wide variety of flavours, nicotine strengths, and e-liquid options available, you can find something that suits your taste. Whether you're looking for a smoother throat hit, a more substantial cloud, or an entirely different flavour profile, there's an e-liquid out there for you at Cloud Vapez UK.