Glycerin from pharmacy

[bdpf]

Hello fellow vapers,

I'd like to start slowly to DIY my own juices.
One common source for VG seems to be the pharmacy under USP Glycerin.
I also read the sticky above about the purity of PG/VG and the fact that the USP Glycerin is recommended over the food grade glycerin and I understand that it will have a higher level of purity.

So I went to the pharmacy and got a bottle of USP Glycerin.
When I got home, I had a closer look at the label.
For ingredients, it's marked as Glycerin 100% v/v however there is a caution warning "For External use only".

Surfing the net, some say it's fine, some say it's not.

My concerns are 1) this product is meant for skin care and 2) why would the pharmacy label mention that it is for external use only if it would be safe for inhale?

Thanks.

 

[zoiDman]

...

My concerns are 1) this product is meant for skin care and 2) why would the pharmacy label mention that it is for external use only if it would be safe for inhale?

Thanks.

What you are Seeing is a Classic Example of CYA when it comes to a Product.

If your USP Glycerin said... "Great for Making e-liquids! Produces Tons of Vapor.", wouldn't that open the OEM up to Anyone wanting to Sue Them for Any Problem an Ex-Smoker/Vaper may have?

What you are holding in your Hand is what Vapers/Retails/Manufactures use to make e-liquids that Contain VG.

BTW - You will Notice that Pure VG is Kinda Thick. So what Most people who do DIY do is to Dilute the Pure VG Slightly with either PG or Distilled Water.

 

[JD1]

Hello fellow vapers,

I'd like to start slowly to DIY my own juices.
One common source for VG seems to be the pharmacy under USP Glycerin.
I also read the sticky above about the purity of PG/VG and the fact that the USP Glycerin is recommended over the food grade glycerin and I understand that it will have a higher level of purity.

So I went to the pharmacy and got a bottle of USP Glycerin.
When I got home, I had a closer look at the label.
For ingredients, it's marked as Glycerin 100% v/v however there is a caution warning "For External use only".

Surfing the net, some say it's fine, some say it's not.

My concerns are 1) this product is meant for skin care and 2) why would the pharmacy label mention that it is for external use only if it would be safe for inhale?

Thanks.

That's something I've checked out as best I can but unfortunately I can't give you a definite provable answer, but I'll start with what is true.

The Humco glycerin sold at Walmart is labeled as USP grade and also vegetable based. So it is vg and I and several others on the forum here use it.

Start guessing part\. The glycerin you have is probably vegetable based as well, and in fact may be from Humco as well. It used to be that glycerin sold for skin care could be animal based, and not all that pure, but most of that goes into the cosmetics industry anymore. By economics of scale, it's cheaper to make the pure glycerin from vegetable base. /End guessing part.

If you want to be absolutely sure, use what you have for a lotion, and pick up something that is labeled as being vegetable. Or trust those that say that if it says USP grade, then you're good to go.

 

[bdpf]

@JD1: Thanks for your input.

@zoiDman: No, I'm not expecting it to be marked as "Great for Making e-liquids! Produces Tons of Vapor." however I wasn't expecting a product that I am intending to inhale to be marked as "For external use only".

 

[Mr. Buttflakes]

I still use Humco glycerin from Walmart and have been for years. I don't use 100%VG, but close to 50/50. I also order my nic base as VG since I ordered a gallon of pg a couple years back that I still use for DIY to this day.

 

[Strangebrew]

all VG marked USP is cool to use. Some have rank flavor or taste or even maybe a kitten in the mix, '''' (ps my cat wasn't seen this morning.. hope shes ok)

 

[zoiDman]

Here is a Good Source of Information regarding VG.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/ecf-library/455394-glycerine-vapor-acrolein-issues.html

 

[Mr.Mann]

Hell, most of the flavorings that we use have in their MSDS say "may be harmful if inhaled", yet we all use them for that purpose.

 

[Hitmetwice]

The only trouble you may run into(as I did) is that it could be older product.
It is best to use newest/ freshest bases and flavourings for vaping.
Less chance of it being contaminated from the environment....humidity etc.

Check the best before dates and choose the newest bottles.
I mix about 500ml or less at a time and try not to have a lot of leftovers when I'm done.
Starting with the freshest ingredients possible is important to me.
I think it makes a difference and it'll also have a longer shelf life in my juice pantry.

Just my 2 cents. Cheers.

 

[crxess]

The only trouble you may run into(as I did) is that it could be older product.
It is best to use newest/ freshest bases and flavourings for vaping.
Less chance of it being contaminated from the environment....humidity etc.

Check the best before dates and choose the newest bottles.
I mix about 500ml or less at a time and try not to have a lot of leftovers when I'm done.
Starting with the freshest ingredients possible is important to me.
I think it makes a difference and it'll also have a longer shelf life in my juice pantry.

Just my 2 cents. Cheers.

And if you refrigerate it PG/VG will last much longer. Nic in the Freezer for the Vapocolypse.
I picked up VG 1gal - Essential Depot - Soap making supply - 100% pure Kosher USP - $19
I picked up PG 1gal - Tractor Supply - Cattle Feed Supplement - 100% pure USP - $23
7570.82ML before adding Flavoring and Nic

Both are exactly the same thing the Super Suppliers of E-liquids are using.

 

[stateek]

I went ahead and bought 250mL of Life brand glycerin USP from Shoppers Drug Mart. It is 100% glycerin v/v and it works just as well as the VG I bought online except there is a slight but definite taste, it's not a bad taste per se but it is there and I don't like it.

I asked about it on reddit and I'm not the only one who notices the taste difference. Apparently there is another brand (NOW) that can be sourced locally that doesn't have the odd taste. I'm going to get a bottle and give it a try.

Apparently they're both safe to use and if it weren't for the odd taste I would keep on using the Life brand.