Vape Juice Brands to Avoid (Harmful Ingredients)
By: David PhillipsTable of contents
Recently, you may have noticed more articles online raising questions about the effects of vaping, specifically the impact of the vaporised e-liquid you inhale. However, a quick search resolves all questions and even supports the claim that vaping is considerably healthier than smoking.
It’s natural to worry about what’s in your vape liquid. Anyone would want to know what they’re inhaling. That’s why we’re here. In this guide, we’ll explain which ingredients are banned or considered harmful in e-liquids, how you can steer clear of them, and what TPD-compliant vape brand to choose at Vape Superstore.
What Are the Main Ingredients in Vape Juices?
E-liquids are made from just a few core ingredients. These form the base of every vape juice:
-
Propylene Glycol (PG)
-
Vegetable Glycerin (VG)
-
Flavourings
-
Nicotine (optional)
PG and VG work together to deliver a smooth, flavour-rich vape, and they form the base of every e-liquid.
Flavourings are added on top to create the tastes and aromas you love, from grape to mint to vanilla. Combined, these ingredients are what make vaping enjoyable and flavourful.
Based on your vaping preference, you can vape an e-liquid with or without nicotine. If you like a hit of nicotine, the ingredient is available in two forms: conventional (freebase) and salt-based.
So, out of all these ingredients, which one should you be worried about?
Propylene Glycol (PG)
PG is used in many products, like soup blends, soft drinks, and shampoos, and it also holds a special place in e-liquids. This non-toxic ingredient carries flavour and creates a smooth throat hit.
Propylene glycol is used in many consumer items, and it is generally regarded as a safe chemical.
Vegetable Glycerin (VG)
VG is another non-toxic and vegetable-based component that adds thickness and smoothness to the vapour. Vegetable Glycerin is added to e-liquids to help mix all ingredients and increase the viscosity of the liquid, preventing leakage from tanks.
Nicotine
Nicotine by itself is an addictive component present in all tobacco products, but it is not as harmful as other chemicals found in cigarettes. Choosing vape juice with nicotine is only recommended to former smokers, while others may find a nicotine-free alternative.
Flavourings
Flavourings give e-liquids their taste, but not every flavour is safe for vaping. Food-grade ingredients are considered safe for inhalation, while certain additives and artificial chemicals may carry health risks.
Harmful Ingredients in Vape Juice to Avoid
Not all e-liquid flavours are dangerous. Purchasing from reputable stores that carry TPD-compliant products, like Vape Superstore, ensures you can focus on picking a flavour rather than worrying about harmful chemicals.
Here is a list of harmful ingredients in vape juice that are banned in the UK:
-
Diacetyl
-
Vitamin E acetate
-
Pentane 2,3-dione (Diketones)
-
Diethylene glycol
-
Ethylene glycol
-
Metals (cadmium, chromium, iron, etc.)
-
Preservatives liable to release formaldehyde
-
Stimulant additives (caffeine or taurine)
Let’s break them down in further detail:
Flavouring Agents & The "Popcorn Lung" Risk
These chemicals are primarily used to create buttery, creamy, or dessert-like flavours. Fortunately, they are banned in the UK in the TPD-compliant stores, so you won’t be able to find vape juices with these chemicals unless you buy from unregulated or international sources.
While safe to ingest in food, they can be devastating to lung tissue when inhaled.
1. Diacetyl
-
The Risk: Bronchiolitis Obliterans ("Popcorn Lung").
Diacetyl is known for its link to popcorn factory workers who developed permanent lung damage in the 1990s. It causes inflammation and scarring in the smallest airways (bronchioles), making it difficult to breathe.
2. Pentane 2,3-dione (Diketones)
-
The Risk: Similar lung damage to Diacetyl.
"Diketone" is a class of compounds that includes acetyl propionyl and acetoin. Manufacturers initially used these as "safer" alternatives to Diacetyl, but research suggests they pose similar inhalation risks.
Thickening Agents & Solvents
These substances are often found in black-market products or as contaminants in low-quality ingredients.
3. Vitamin E Acetate
-
The Risk: E-cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI).
This is a synthetic form of Vitamin E. While widely used in skincare and supplements, it acts like glue in the lungs when inhaled and interferes with the lungs' ability to expand and exchange oxygen.
4. Diethylene Glycol & Ethylene Glycol
-
The Risk: Toxic poisoning and kidney failure.
These are industrial chemicals essentially used in antifreeze. They are strictly prohibited in vape products. However, they have occasionally been found in cheap, unregulated e-liquids where pharmaceutical-grade Propylene Glycol was replaced with cheaper alternatives contaminated with these solvents.
Heavy Metals
5. Cadmium, Chromium, Iron, Lead, Nickel
-
The Risk: Neurotoxicity, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory damage.
When the e-liquid is heated, it can become acidic or oxidise the metal coil, causing microscopic metal particles to break off and be inhaled. This risk increases significantly with cheap hardware or when vaping at extremely high temperatures.
Thermal Breakdown Products
6. Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives
-
The Risk: Carcinogen (cancer-causing).
Formaldehyde is not usually added to the bottle. It is a byproduct of thermal degradation. When Propylene Glycol (PG) or Vegetable Glycerin (VG) is heated to very high temperatures (often called a "dry hit"), they break down chemically.
Stimulant Additives
7. Caffeine and Taurine
-
The Risk: Increased heart rate, anxiety, and unknown long-term lung toxicity.
Inhaling vape juices with caffeine or taurine, they bypass the digestive system's filters and may cause rapid heart rate spikes and irritate the throat and bronchial passages.
TPD-Compliant Vape Juices at Vape Superstore
At Vape Superstore, we only stock e-liquids that meet the strict standards of the UK Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR 2016).
Here is how we take care of our customers by choosing only safe products from authentic and reliable manufacturers:
- Every product we sell is notified to the MHRA.
- Every product comes in child-resistant, tamper-evident packaging
- Each bottle includes a full ingredient list, batch number, and full traceability.
- We work exclusively with reputable UK and international manufacturers and never sell e-liquids containing harmful chemicals like diacetyl or vitamin E acetate.
All our products comply with UK law, including limits on bottle size (10ml) and nicotine strength (20mg/ml where applicable), so you can vape safely and confidently.
Tips for Choosing Safe Vape Juice
If you ever decide to shop from a store other than Vape Superstore, it’s important to know exactly what to look for to ensure your e-liquid is safe.
Choosing a vape juice can feel overwhelming with so many options on the market, but keeping a few key points in mind can help you make an informed decision:
-
Check the ingredients: Look for vape juices made with natural, food-grade flavourings and avoid those with artificial additives or sweeteners. Natural ingredients are generally safer and provide a more authentic taste.
-
Opt for high-quality components: Choose e-liquids that use pharmaceutical-grade nicotine and high-quality propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG).
-
Avoid toxic chemicals: Steer clear of e-liquids containing harmful substances like diacetyl, diketones, and vitamin E acetate, which can pose serious health risks when inhaled.
-
Check the nicotine level: Match the nicotine strength to your needs or choose nicotine-free e-liquids.
-
Read reviews and do research: Checking other users’ experiences can help you avoid low-quality or potentially unsafe products.
By following these tips, you can choose a vape juice that’s both safe and enjoyable, without compromising your health.
Final Thoughts
Vaping can help you quit smoking and let you explore delicious flavours. Just like when picking an e-cigarette, make sure to look closely at what’s in your e-liquid and confirm it doesn’t contain anything harmful.
Always stick to reputable brands and stores, like Vape Superstore, pay attention to the flavours you choose, and stay informed about the ingredients in your vape juice.
Above all, remember that vaping is intended as a safer alternative to smoking when used responsibly.
FAQs
Are all vape juices safe to inhale?
No. Only e-liquids made with food-grade ingredients and free from harmful chemicals like diacetyl or vitamin E acetate should be considered safe.
How do I know if an e-liquid is TPD-compliant?
TPD-compliant e-liquids from Vape Superstore meet UK regulations, come in child-resistant, tamper-evident packaging, and have full ingredient lists with batch traceability.
Can vaping help me quit smoking?
Yes. Vaping is considered a harm-reduction tool and can help smokers transition away from traditional cigarettes when used responsibly.
What should I look for when choosing a flavour?
Stick to reputable brands, check the ingredients, and avoid e-liquids with additives or chemicals that may pose health risks.
Where should I buy my e-liquids?
Always choose trusted stores, such as Vape Superstore, which stock high-quality, TPD-compliant products from reputable manufacturers.
www.vapesuperstore.co.uk contains general information about vaping and vapour products. The information provided is not medical advice, and should not be relied upon unless explicity cited. We do not make any warranties surrounding the health benefits, reliability and accuracy of written copy across all pages on our website, including blog content and content posted on social media.
