Vape juice contains four core ingredients: vegetable glycerin (VG), propylene glycol (PG), flavorings, and optionally nicotine. Cyclone Pods uses only USP-grade VG, PG, and food-grade flavorings — no added nicotine, and no diacetyl or vitamin E acetate in the formula. Legend Technical Services (ISO 17025) tests our Gust Pro and Lightning e-liquid for nicotine and diacetyl.
That last part matters. Most vape brands don't publish ingredient testing. We do — down to the detection limit (0.063 µg/g for nicotine) and the work order numbers (#2503988 for nicotine, #2602062 for diacetyl and metals). This article breaks down every ingredient in vape juice, what separates safe formulations from dangerous ones, and how our ingredients compare to JUUL, Elf Bar, and Geek Bar.
What Is in Vape Juice?
Every e-liquid starts with the same four-part formula. The proportions and quality of each ingredient determine the flavor, vapor production, throat sensation, and safety profile of what you inhale.
Vegetable Glycerin (VG)
Vegetable glycerin is a thick, slightly sweet, plant-derived liquid extracted from palm, soy, or coconut oil. FDA lists glycerin as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) as a food ingredient (21 CFR 182.1320). That status covers eating it, not inhaling it. It appears in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
In vape juice, VG is responsible for:
- Vapor production — VG's viscosity creates dense, visible clouds. Blends above 70% VG produce significantly more vapor than PG-heavy liquids.
- Smoothness — Higher VG ratios deliver a softer throat sensation, preferred by vapers who find PG harsh.
- Mild sweetness — VG adds faint natural sweetness without additional sweeteners.
A 2020 study in Respirology (PMID: 31542893) found that VG exposure increased bronchial epithelial cell death and impaired macrophage function — specifically, the ability to clear dead airway cells — by reducing expression of CD36 and CD44 receptors. This was an in-vitro study at direct-exposure concentrations, but it underscores that even GRAS compounds behave differently when aerosolized into the lungs. Read our full analysis: high VG vape juice.
Propylene Glycol (PG)
Propylene glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid — affirmed GRAS as a direct food ingredient under 21 CFR 184.1666. You encounter it in asthma inhalers, theatrical fog machines, ice cream, and injectable medications.
In vape juice, PG handles two jobs:
- Flavor carrier — PG is a superior solvent for flavoring compounds. Higher-PG formulas deliver sharper, more defined taste.
- Throat hit — PG produces the "throat hit" sensation that mimics cigarette smoke, which is why smokers switching to vaping often prefer PG-heavy liquids.
A 2020 review in the Journal of Medical Toxicology (PMID: 32301069) noted that when heated in e-cigarettes, PG and VG can generate carbonyl compounds including formaldehyde and acrolein — though the amounts depend heavily on device temperature and coil condition. Dry hits and degraded coils produce far more carbonyls than normal use.
Side effects: dry mouth, mild throat irritation, and rare allergic reactions in PG-sensitive individuals.
Food-Grade Flavorings
Flavorings are where quality diverges sharply between brands. The compounds themselves — vanillin (vanilla), ethyl maltol (cotton candy), limonene (citrus), menthol (mint) — are the same ones used in food manufacturing. Vanillin and limonene are on FDA's GRAS list of synthetic flavorings (21 CFR 182.60); ethyl maltol and menthol are permitted food flavorings under 21 CFR 172.515. Those rules cover eating them. The Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA), whose expert panel reviews flavor safety, said in 2019 that it evaluates flavors only for use in food, not for vaping or anything else that is inhaled.
The problem: "safe to eat" does not mean "safe to inhale." The most notorious example is diacetyl, a buttery flavoring used in microwave popcorn. Safe to eat. But workers who inhaled diacetyl vapor in popcorn factories developed bronchiolitis obliterans — irreversible lung scarring called "popcorn lung." A 2015 Harvard study (PMID: 26642857) detected diacetyl in the aerosol of 39 of 51 flavored e-cigarettes, and at least one of the three flavoring chemicals it measured (diacetyl, acetyl propionyl and acetoin) in 47. That study pushed reputable manufacturers to reformulate without them.
Other flagged flavoring compounds:
- Cinnamaldehyde — cinnamon flavoring, cytotoxic to lung cells at high concentrations
- Benzaldehyde — cherry/almond flavoring, airway irritant
- Pulegone — mint compound, FDA banned from food in 2018 over carcinogenicity
Nicotine (Optional)
Nicotine is the addictive stimulant derived from tobacco. In traditional e-liquid, it comes in two forms: freebase nicotine (3-18 mg/mL, harsher at high concentrations, used in sub-ohm devices) and nicotine salt (20-50 mg/mL, smoother delivery, used in pod systems like JUUL).
Nicotine is the single most consequential ingredient in vape juice. It creates dependence. It elevates heart rate and blood pressure. It constricts blood vessels. The CDC reports that adolescent nicotine exposure harms brain development, affecting memory, concentration, and impulse control.
This is why nicotine-free vape juice exists. Three ingredients instead of four — same experience, minus the addiction.
Vape Brand Ingredients Compared: Cyclone Pods vs JUUL vs Elf Bar vs Geek Bar
What's actually inside the four most-discussed vape brands? We compared ingredients, nicotine levels, and transparency practices:
| Feature | Cyclone Pods | JUUL | Elf Bar | Geek Bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicotine | 0 mg added (13 of 16 tested flavors ND; trace in 3) | 59 mg/mL (nicotine salt) | 50 mg/mL (nicotine salt) | 50 mg/mL (nicotine salt) |
| VG/PG base | USP-grade VG + PG | Glycerol + PG | VG + PG (grade unspecified) | VG + PG (grade unspecified) |
| Flavorings | Food-grade, diacetyl-free | Food-grade (limited flavors) | Food-grade (wide variety) | Food-grade (wide variety) |
| Diacetyl | Not detected in 6 tested flavors (WO #2602062) | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Vitamin E acetate | Not used in our formula | Not present | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Benzoic acid | Not present | Yes (enables nicotine salt) | Yes | Yes |
| Third-party lab testing | Yes (ISO 17025; Gust Pro + Lightning) | Internal testing only | Limited | Limited |
| Published lab results | Yes | No | No | No |
| Addictive | No added nicotine | Yes (highly) | Yes (highly) | Yes (highly) |
JUUL uses a patented nicotine salt formulation with benzoic acid that delivers nicotine at cigarette-level speed — 59 mg/mL is among the highest concentrations on the market. Elf Bar and Geek Bar run similar nicotine salt formulas at 50 mg/mL. None of the three publish third-party lab results showing exactly which contaminants were screened.
We publish ours. Our lab testing transparency page shows the certificate of analysis, the lab's ISO 17025 accreditation, the testing method (LC-MS/MS), and the nicotine results: none detected in 13 of 16 flavors at a 0.063 µg/g detection limit, and trace amounts in three (Gust Pro Lush Ice 0.85, Lightning Bold Tobacco 24, Lightning Tobacco 26 µg/g).
What Chemicals Should You Avoid in Vape Juice?
Not all vape juice is equal. Unregulated or low-quality products may contain compounds that have no business being inhaled:
| Chemical | What It Is | Why It's Dangerous |
|---|---|---|
| Diacetyl | Buttery flavoring compound | Linked to bronchiolitis obliterans ("popcorn lung") when inhaled (PMID: 26642857) |
| Vitamin E acetate | Thickening agent in illicit THC cartridges | Primary cause of the 2019 EVALI outbreak — 2,807 hospitalizations, 68 deaths (CDC, Feb 2020) |
| Formaldehyde | Byproduct of overheating PG/VG | IARC Group 1 human carcinogen. Forms when coils run dry or at excessive wattage. See: formaldehyde in vapes |
| Acrolein | VG thermal decomposition product | Severe respiratory irritant, damages lung epithelial tissue |
| Heavy metals | Nickel, lead, cadmium, chromium from cheap coils | Bioaccumulate in tissue, linked to cancer and organ damage |
| Acetyl propionyl | Diacetyl substitute in flavorings | Similar respiratory risks as diacetyl, less studied |
The vitamin E acetate case is instructive. In 2019, the CDC traced a nationwide outbreak of EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury) to vitamin E acetate used as a cutting agent in illicit THC vape cartridges. It was not found in regulated nicotine or nicotine-free products. But the episode exposed how little quality control exists in parts of the vaping supply chain — and why diacetyl-free formulations and published lab testing are non-negotiable for any brand that takes safety seriously.
What Does the VG/PG Ratio Mean?
The VG/PG ratio controls three things you directly experience: cloud size, flavor intensity, and throat sensation. Every vape juice lists this ratio, and it matters more than most people realize.
| VG/PG Ratio | Clouds | Flavor | Throat Hit | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80/20 | Maximum | Muted | Very smooth | Cloud chasers, sub-ohm tanks |
| 70/30 | Dense | Good balance | Smooth | Most disposables (industry standard) |
| 50/50 | Moderate | Sharp | Noticeable | Pod systems, MTL devices, beginners |
| 30/70 | Minimal | Maximum | Strong | Flavor-focused, cigarette-style |
Cyclone Pods uses a 70/30 VG/PG ratio across our product line. It hits the sweet spot: enough VG for satisfying vapor production, enough PG for clean, well-defined flavor without harshness.
Higher VG blends (80/20+) produce impressive clouds but can gunk up coils faster and mute flavor. Higher PG blends (50/50 and above) deliver sharper taste and stronger throat hit but produce less visible vapor. If you're new to vaping or switching from cigarettes, a 50/50 blend gives you the most familiar throat sensation. If you want clouds and smoothness, 70/30 or high VG is the move. Device power changes vapor output too: the Gust Core, a rechargeable disposable rated 50,000 puffs, has 3 power levels.
What Is in Nicotine-Free Vape Juice?
Nicotine-free vape juice contains VG, PG, and flavorings — the same base as standard e-liquid, minus the nicotine. Three ingredients instead of four.
That subtraction eliminates:
- Addiction potential — no physical dependence, no withdrawal
- Cardiovascular load — no heart rate or blood pressure spike
- Neurodevelopmental risk — no impact on adolescent brain development
- Benzoic acid — the additive used to form nicotine salts (unnecessary without nicotine)
At Cyclone Pods, our nicotine-free formulation uses:
- USP-grade vegetable glycerin — pharmaceutical-quality, tested to United States Pharmacopeia purity standards
- USP-grade propylene glycol — same pharmaceutical grade
- Food-grade flavorings — no diacetyl, no acetyl propionyl, no vitamin E acetate
Our Gust Pro and Lightning e-liquid is tested by Legend Technical Services, Inc. in St. Paul, Minnesota. They use LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry) — the gold standard for trace compound detection — with a limit of 0.063 µg/g. Work Order #2503988 has the per-flavor results. View the full certificate: third-party lab testing.
A follow-up panel in July 2026 (Work Order #2602062) went further into purity: six Gust Pro and Lightning flavors screened non-detect for diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione, and non-detect for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury by ICP/MS.
How Do You Know if Your Vape Juice Is Safe?
The FDA has regulatory authority over e-cigarettes under the 2016 Deeming Rule, but enforcement remains inconsistent. There is no standardized ingredient label (no "nutrition facts" for vape juice), no required contaminant testing for diacetyl or heavy metals, and no mandatory publication of lab results.
Until federal standards tighten, the burden falls on consumers and brands. Here's what to look for:
Non-negotiable:
- Published third-party lab results — not just "lab tested," the actual certificate of analysis
- ISO 17025 accredited lab (not a random testing facility)
- Testing method specified — LC-MS/MS for nicotine and diketones, ICP-MS for heavy metals
- VG/PG ratio and nicotine concentration clearly stated
Red flags:
- No ingredient list
- "Proprietary blend" with no specifics
- No manufacturer contact information
- Claims like "organic" or "all-natural" — terms not regulated for vape products
- Unusually low prices from unknown brands
Cyclone Pods publishes everything: lab name, accreditation, testing method, detection limit, and results. We think every brand should. Most don't.
Is Vape Juice Bad for You?
It depends on what's in it. The risk profile of vape juice varies enormously by formulation:
Nicotine e-liquid carries the risks of nicotine itself — addiction, cardiovascular strain, adolescent brain harm — plus whatever contaminants are (or aren't) tested for. High-nicotine salt formulas (50-59 mg/mL) deliver addiction-forming doses comparable to combustible cigarettes.
Nicotine-free e-liquid eliminates the nicotine-specific risks but still involves inhaling aerosolized VG, PG, and flavorings. The long-term pulmonary effects of inhaling VG/PG aerosol are not fully established. The 2020 Respirology study (PMID: 31542893) and the Journal of Medical Toxicology review (PMID: 32301069) both found cellular-level effects worth monitoring.
Unregulated products are the highest-risk category. Illicit THC cartridges caused the 2019 EVALI outbreak (2,807 hospitalizations, 68 deaths). Counterfeit disposables may contain undisclosed heavy metals, diacetyl, or carcinogenic compounds.
The honest answer: vaping anything carries some level of risk. The goal is harm reduction — using the cleanest possible formulation, avoiding nicotine if you don't need it, and choosing brands that prove their claims with our lab results.
What's Inside Cyclone Pods Vape Juice?
We make nicotine-free vapes with three ingredients. Here is exactly what goes into every device:
USP-grade vegetable glycerin — pharmaceutical-quality VG meeting United States Pharmacopeia purity standards. Each batch is tested for identity, purity, and contaminants before entering our supply chain.
USP-grade propylene glycol — same pharmaceutical grade. Our PG suppliers provide certificates of analysis for every lot.
Food-grade flavorings (diacetyl-free) — free from diacetyl, acetyl propionyl, and vitamin E acetate. Our 14 Gust Pro flavors and 13 Lightning flavors all use the same clean base.
What is NOT in our vape juice:
- Added nicotine
- Tobacco or tobacco derivatives
- Diacetyl or acetyl propionyl
- Vitamin E acetate
- Benzoic acid
Our nicotine results come from Legend Technical Services, Inc. — an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory using LC-MS/MS with a detection limit of 0.063 µg/g. That detection threshold is far below what most commercial labs can measure. Work Order #2503988. Diacetyl and heavy-metal results come from the same lab's July 2026 panel (Work Order #2602062). Vitamin E acetate is kept out by formulation; neither report tests for it. Full results: lab testing transparency page.
We've made nicotine-free vapes since 2018, based in Santa Monica, California. Available online and in retail stores nationwide. Not sure which device fits? Try our "What Should I Buy?" quiz.
The Bottom Line on Vape Juice Ingredients
Vape juice is four ingredients at most: VG, PG, flavorings, and nicotine. The safety gap between brands comes down to ingredient quality, what's excluded, and whether anyone actually tests the final product.
Know what's in your juice. Demand published lab results from an ISO 17025 lab — not marketing claims. Avoid diacetyl, vitamin E acetate, and any product that won't tell you exactly what's inside. And ask yourself whether nicotine — the most harmful ingredient in most vape juice — is something you need at all.
We make nicotine-free vapes because we think the answer, for most people, is no. Three ingredients. No added nicotine. Lab results published. See how we compare to other brands in our clean vapes ranking.
