Find out how to identify legitimate certified organic e-juice and which ingredients should be checked for a safer, cleaner vaping experience.
Nicotine-delivery devices like e-cigarettes and vapes have become a popular choice for those who wish to quit smoking or just experience vaping. Such vapers generally seek products that can minimize harm, while maximizing enjoyment. With that goal in mind, what could be a better option than organic e-juice?
Is there any REAL organic vape juice?
People have been using vapes and electronic cigarettes for over ten years now, however, the use of organic e-juice is relatively new. It’s been gaining a lot more interest recently. Early on, the e-liquid market was flooded with many low-cost producers, using artificial sweeteners and chemicals. As consumers become more educated, and gained awareness of what these cheap e-liquids do to their coils, not to mention their bodies – they began searching for a cleaner alternative!
Owing to the surge in the demand for organic vape products, many brands today are claiming to offer e-juices that are free from synthetic substances like propylene glycol (PG) and other chemical additives. Unsupported marketing claims can make it difficult for consumers to differentiate between authentic and fake products.
If you are new in the world of vaping and are seeking only certified organic e-liquids, let us help! We have curated a simple guide that will help you identify if the e-liquid product you are choosing to vape is actually organic and free of chemical additives.
What is an Organic E-liquid?
For any product to get certified as organic by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), it has to be produced through a set of approved methods. The production operations must carefully source and track ingredients, maintain strict documentation, and use only approved substances for the coveted USDA organic certification.
Like many other things, USDA has started to mark e-liquid production operations as organic and non-organic. E-juice and E-cigarette retailers can receive USDA organic certification under the National Organic Program guidelines. Currently, Essence Vapor and Virgin Vapor are the only certified organic e-juice companies in the United States.
Ingredients That Go Into a USDA Certified Organic E-liquid
Checking the ingredients is the best way to authenticate the claims made by a company. The NOP guidelines by the USDA clearly mention ingredients that are certifiable as organic. When looking for an organic e-juice, pay careful attention to the ingredient labels for the below-listed components:
- Propylene Glycol – NOT ORGANIC
Propylene glycol is a common additive in conventional (non-organic) vape juice. Used a flavor carrier, this synthetic chemical is actually derived from petroleum. When consumed, the chemical gets attached to the tissues in the throat, mouth, and lungs. However, there are various health concerns over items containing PG, including toxic effects. Any e-juice that claims to be organic should not have PG in it.
- Vegetable Glycerin – ORGANIC
Vegetable glycerin, or VG, is a safer and cleaner alternative to propylene glycol. Besides, e-liquids using only VG produce thicker and bigger clouds as compared to liquids with PG in them. VG can be extracted from plant sources, like soybean oil, palm fruit oil, or flaxseed oil. However, USDA will only certify an e-liquid as organic if the VG is not derived from genetically modified seeds. When checking the label, make sure it’s a non-GMO e-liquid.
- Artificial Sweeteners – NOT ORGANIC
If you are looking for only organic e-juices, stay away from the ones loaded with artificial sweeteners. Since most sucralose and sucrose in e-liquids are GMO variants, USDA doesn’t approve e-liquid containing them as organic.
Moreover, e-liquids with a large amount of sweetener or sugar added to it causes coil gunk. When the sugar in the e-juice is vaporized, it crystallizes. Eventually, the burnt sugar hardens and sticks to the coil surfaces. To avoid gunked coils and the frequent purchase of new coils, choose sugar-free e-liquids only.
- Manufacturing Process
As a USDA certified organic e-liquid producing company, e-juices must be produced in AEMSA (American E-Liquid Manufacturing Standards Associations) validated clean rooms. All of the ingredients that go into making the juices must also be produced and procured within the USA.
What’s the Best Organic E-Juice?
We tried the e-liquid offerings from both Essence Vapor and Virgin Vapor. As mentioned earlier, they are currently the only two e-juice companies acknowledged as organic by USDA. While both companies undoubtedly produce great tasting e-liquids – we preferred Essence Vapor.
Their e-juices have very unique flavor profiles, and pack a pretty significant flavor punch! They are also more affordable than Virgin Vapor AND they have an amazing rewards program if you buy direct from their site – 20% cashback on every purchase!
To learn more about Essence Vapor and how they produce their incredible, all-natural e-liquids, click here.