Question about VG in Canada

[FunkyVapes]

I went to Shoppers Drug Mart and asked the pharmacist for PG or VG, he pointed me to this.

It only says "Glycerin USP":

My question is, is this stuff safe to use to dilute some of my juices? I diluted one, and it vapes fine and doesn't feel any different, then I got daring and vaped a drop of it right off a 306, and it tasted like nothing and sent a cloud of vapour.


I hope I'm not doomed, any help would be awesome.

P.S. I am aware of the stupidity of just vaping something I'm unsure about. I did a bit of research and it seems most VG is refined from Coconuts and used topically, which this is labeled for. It does say for external use only, but it is used in cough and cold syrups too.

Thanks,

~Charlie

 

[dmatrix7]

I bought the exact same stuff from shoppers drug mart. Have been using it for months with no issues. I was told it is the exact same thing as vegetable glycerin.

 

[Shany]

It's VG if you want PG you'll have to ask at the medication counter and they probably not going to have it in stock but they can order it for you.

Hope this help

 

[FunkyVapes]

Awesome stuff guys, thanks so much for the info and the peace of mind

 

[dmatrix7]

I didn't have any luck ordering PG from 2 shoppers drug mart. But I went to my local Independent grocery store and asked the pharmacist there. She said no problems and ordered me up a 500ml bottle of PG for like $7. She never asked what it was for, but I told her my girlfriend was making soaps and needed some PG.

 

[Concat]

I don't think it matters much, but if it doesn't say vegetable glycerin, it means it's petroleum based and not "food grade." Chemical composition is the exact same, but the impurities (if any) will be different.

USP means it's approved for pharmaceutical use so there really shouldn't be much of a concern. That's my understanding anyways.

 

[FunkyVapes]

I didn't have any luck ordering PG from 2 shoppers drug mart. But I went to my local Independent grocery store and asked the pharmacist there. She said no problems and ordered me up a 500ml bottle of PG for like $7. She never asked what it was for, but I told her my girlfriend was making soaps and needed some PG.

Haha nice! I bought some from a DIY supplier for $6.99, but only 120ml. I think I'll try hitting up a local pharmacy or even Walmart. Good tip.

Do you normally cut with VG or PG?

 

[markfm]

On the ingredients list you should only see one thing, glycerin 99.5% (or higher), perhaps followed by the word "anhydrous". Most glycerin, at least in the US, is actually vegetable glycerin, since it comes from Humco (rebranded by chains). See http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/diy-e-liquid/52669-pg-vg-labeling-purity-please-read.html for a good writeup on glycerin.

 

[dmatrix7]

Haha nice! I bought some from a DIY supplier for $6.99, but only 120ml. I think I'll try hitting up a local pharmacy or even Walmart. Good tip.

Do you normally cut with VG or PG?

I cut with both as I have 500ml of 36mg VG and PG nic juice. Depends what base I use.

 

[FunkyVapes]

I cut with both as I have 500ml of 36mg VG and PG nic juice. Depends what base I use.

Groovy stuff. I'm soon to have both too, will find what works for me.

On the ingredients list you should only see one thing, glycerin 99.5% (or higher), perhaps followed by the word "anhydrous". Most glycerin, at least in the US, is actually vegetable glycerin, since it comes from Humco (rebranded by chains). See http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/diy-e-liquid/52669-pg-vg-labeling-purity-please-read.html for a good writeup on glycerin.

Its odd, this bottle has absolutely no % or ingredients list.

 

[Old Chemist]

Groovy stuff. I'm soon to have both too, will find what works for me.
Its odd, this bottle has absolutely no % or ingredients list.

It's not very odd. FYI - USP glycerin contains approx. 84% of glycerin, the rest being deionized water.

 

[FunkyVapes]

It's not very odd. FYI - USP glycerin contains approx. 84% of glycerin, the rest being deionized water.

Awesome info, thanks!

 

[ardelleg]

I have gotten Wilton's glycerine at the craft store in the cake frosting section, it doesn't list any ingredients and says Glycerine USP like the brand the OP bought.

I assumed that since it is from Wilton and used for frosting it is considered food grade.

Thanks 'Old Chemist' for the clarification... so I am buying some water....

 

[FunkyVapes]

Is there a way to get 100% or close to it Glycerin? Most recipes I found for DIY stuff that I want to try do not call for water. I don't see it affecting the nicotine absorption significantly (I could be off here), but it might sacrifice a bit of taste seeing as the glycerin has a very sweet taste to it, and certainly the consistency.

Any thoughts, Old Chemist?

 

[markfm]

Must be a Canada vs. US labeling thing, that you don't see an ingredients list. In the US I generally use RiteAid's USP Glycerin skin protectant. It does have an ingredients list, the only entry is "glycerin 99.5% anhydrous". It's a quite thick, clear, liquid. The couple of bottles of it that I've bought at Walmart, different label, are the same -- thick, clear, they've all said glycerin 99.5%. None of the US ones that were labeled Glycerin USP were 84%.

 

[FunkyVapes]

Must be a Canada vs. US labeling thing, that you don't see an ingredients list. In the US I generally use RiteAid's USP Glycerin skin protectant. It does have an ingredients list, the only entry is "glycerin 99.5% anhydrous". It's a quite thick, clear, liquid. The couple of bottles of it that I've bought at Walmart, different label, are the same -- thick, clear, they've all said glycerin 99.5%. None of the US ones that were labeled Glycerin USP were 84%.

Strange, I think I am going to hit up a Walmart this afternoon, they seem to have more US-Canadian consistency with products, and Shoppers Drug Mart is strictly Canadian as far as I know and sells their own brand of pharmaceuticals and supplies. I'll keep people posted and upload some pictures if I have any luck.

 

[markfm]

At Walmart people say they've found Humco's own-labeled version, and that's what shows on their Web site, but the couple of times I've bought there it's been rebranded. It should be in the pharmacy section, near the bandaids, clear 6 ounce bottle, otherwise the pharmacist should have no problem finding it -- Glycerin USP Skin Protectant.

 

[Old Chemist]

Sorry, after a quick research on the net I have to correct my info. Most of the USP glycerin available on US market is >99,5%. European glycerin (also marked as USP) contains 84% of the pure product. In fact, it's much easier to use the 84% stuff, because of much lower viscosity.

 

[Not Iris]

I went to our local Walmart store yesterday to hunt down some Glycerin and they looked at me like I was from Mars and didn't know what I was talking about. sighs I'm going to take my chances on Shoppers

 

[FunkyVapes]

I went to our local Walmart store yesterday to hunt down some Glycerin and they looked at me like I was from Mars and didn't know what I was talking about. sighs I'm going to take my chances on Shoppers

I think you should be OK with Shoppers. I'm feelin fine and my juices are very vapoury