E-liquid, often called vape juice, is made from a base of two liquids, propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG), plus flavourings, and nicotine only if the product contains it. There is no tobacco leaf in e-liquid. This guide explains what each ingredient does, how PG and VG differ, and how to read an e-liquid label before you buy.

What Is E-Liquid Made Of?

E-liquid is made from a PG and VG base, flavourings, and nicotine only in products that contain it.

Those four parts cover almost every bottled e-liquid and the liquid inside pre-filled pods. PG and VG form the base that carries flavour and produces vapour. Flavourings create the taste, from tobacco and menthol styles to fruit and dessert styles. Nicotine is optional: some liquids contain it and some do not, and the label shows whether a product contains nicotine and how much. If you are new to vaping, our guide on how to vape for the first time explains the basics, and our vaping in Dubai guide covers the local picture.

What Is Propylene Glycol (PG)?

Propylene glycol is the thinner base liquid in e-liquid, and it carries flavour and gives a stronger throat feel.

PG is thin and runny, which helps it soak into coils and wicks quickly. Because it carries flavour well, liquids with more PG tend to taste sharper and more defined. PG also gives a stronger sensation at the back of the throat, which some vapers prefer and others find too harsh. It produces less visible vapour than VG, so high-PG liquids suit smaller devices and mouth-to-lung vaping rather than large-cloud setups.

What Is Vegetable Glycerin (VG)?

Vegetable glycerin is the thicker base liquid in e-liquid, and it produces more vapour with a smoother feel.

VG is thick and slightly sweet, and it is responsible for most of the visible vapour. Liquids with more VG feel smoother on the throat and produce denser clouds, which is why they suit larger devices and sub-ohm kits. The thickness has a trade-off: VG soaks into coils more slowly, so a very thick liquid in a small pod can struggle to wick and may shorten coil life. Our guide on why vape coils burn quickly and how to make them last longer explains coil care in more detail.

PG vs VG: What Is the Difference?

The difference is thickness, vapour and throat feel: PG is thinner with sharper flavour and a stronger throat feel, while VG is thicker with more vapour and a smoother feel.

Most e-liquids blend the two, and the label shows the ratio for that product. A higher-PG blend suits flavour and a cigarette-like draw in smaller devices. A higher-VG blend suits vapour production in larger devices. Neither ratio is better in general; the right one depends on your device and what you prefer. If you use a refillable pod kit, check that the liquid suits the device, as covered in our guide to the best refillable pod kits in the UAE. For pre-filled options, our best disposable vapes in Dubai buying guide covers the current range.

What Are E-Liquid Flavourings?

E-liquid flavourings are concentrates that create the taste, from tobacco and menthol to fruit, dessert and drink styles.

Flavourings are the reason two liquids with the same base can taste completely different. A single flavour may come from one concentrate or a blend of several, and the exact recipe is the manufacturer’s own formula. Sweet and dark flavourings can leave residue on coils faster than lighter ones, which is one reason coil life varies between liquids. If you want ideas, our list of the top disposable vape flavors to try this month is a good starting point, and our explainer on Nasty Juice e-liquids in the UAE shows how one brand builds its flavour range.

What About Nicotine in E-Liquid?

Nicotine is optional in e-liquid: some products contain it and some do not, and the label states the strength.

Nicotine comes in two main forms in e-liquids. Freebase nicotine is the standard form, while nicotine salts (nic salts) are smoother at higher strengths and are common in pods and disposables. Our guide on salt nicotine explained for UAE vapers covers the difference in full. Zero-nicotine liquids also exist for vapers who want flavour without nicotine, as shown in our post on HQD Miracle 8000 zero-nicotine flavors. Whatever the strength, check the label before buying, because strength varies by product and cannot be guessed from the flavour name.

How Do You Read an E-Liquid Label?

Check the label for the PG/VG ratio, the nicotine strength, the flavour name, and any warnings before you buy.

The ratio tells you how thick the liquid is and what kind of device it suits. The nicotine strength tells you whether the product contains nicotine and how much. The flavour name tells you the taste style, not the strength, so do not use it to guess nicotine content. Warnings and age notices are also printed on the label; e-liquid products are for adults aged 18 and over only. If anything on the label is unclear, ask the store before buying rather than assuming. Note that e-liquid is not shisha: shisha uses tobacco and molasses, as explained in our post on shisha ingredients explained, while e-liquid uses a PG/VG base with flavourings and optional nicotine.

What Are the Common Questions About E-Liquid Ingredients?

Does e-liquid contain tobacco?

No. E-liquid contains no tobacco leaf. It is made from a PG/VG base with flavourings and nicotine only if the product contains it.

What does the PG/VG ratio mean?

It is the proportion of propylene glycol to vegetable glycerin in the base. Higher PG means a thinner liquid with sharper flavour and a stronger throat feel, while higher VG means a thicker liquid with more vapour and a smoother feel.

Is zero-nicotine e-liquid available?

Yes. Zero-nicotine liquids exist, including the HQD Miracle 8000 zero-nicotine range covered on this site. Check the label to confirm a product is zero nicotine before buying.

Why does my e-liquid taste different from another with the same flavour name?

Flavour recipes differ by manufacturer, and PG/VG ratio and coil condition also change taste. Two liquids with similar names can still taste different.

Can I tell the nicotine strength from the flavour?

No. Flavour names do not show nicotine strength. Always check the strength printed on the label.

This guide is for adults aged 18 and over only. Some e-liquids contain nicotine, which is addictive, and devices and e-liquids should be kept away from children.