Does Vape Juice Expire?
Vaping has significantly grown in popularity over the years due to it being seen as a healthier alternative to traditional smoking. Vape juice is available in numerous nicotine strengths and flavors, but many people wonder: does it expire? Here, we’ll discuss whether vape juice has an expiration date, factors that affect the lifespan of vape juice, signs your vape juice has expired, and more.
The Basics: Does Vape Juice Have an Expiration Date?
To put it simply: yes, vape juice can expire. Every consumable item includes a sell-by or expiration date printed on it, and vape juices are no exception. However, they degrade slowly over time. This means that vape juices don’t suddenly turn bad on the exact expiration date. Instead, the date typically indicates when vape juice degradation is likely to begin.
Most vape juices have a shelf-life of approximately two years, depending on the formulation used. The way you store your vape juice also affects how quickly it degrades. For example, storing your vape juice in a dry, cool, dark place can extend its shelf life, whereas storing it in a damp, bright, warm place can shorten it.
Understanding the Components of Vape Juice
The type of vape juice and its ingredients can impact its expiration date. The two primary components of vape juice include propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG):
- Propylene glycol. PG can prevent degradation over time, meaning vape juices with a higher PG content may last longer if correctly stored and handled.
- Vegetable glycerin. VG can’t prevent degradation over time like PG can. However, that doesn’t mean the vape juice will reach the expiration date any sooner.
Nicotine also plays a role in vape juice degradation. Once the vape juice is exposed to oxygen, the nicotine will begin to oxidize and darken. If your vape juice looks significantly darker than it was when you purchased it, it’s probably time to replace it.
The Lifespan of Vape Juice
Generally speaking, a bottle of vape juice will provide a great vaping experience for up to one year from the date of manufacture. However, just because vape juice degrades over time doesn’t mean it will taste bad or be unsafe to use once it surpasses a year. It just means that the vape juice may be noticeably different compared to when it was new.
Various factors can contribute to the shelf life of vape juice, including:
- Exposure to light or heat
- Storage conditions
- The type of vape juice (PG vs. VG)
- Nicotine content
Signs That Vape Juice Has Expired
If you’re wondering whether your vape juice has expired, there are several signs to look out for. These include:
- Separation or crystallization of ingredients
- Changes in color
- Altered taste and smell
- Difference in thickness
- Reduced nicotine strength
If you notice any of these, it’s probably time to replace your vape juice.
Is It Safe to Vape Expired Juice?
Like most expiration or sell-by dates, those for vape juices are more like a guide. Realistically, a hit or two of expired vape juice won’t pose an extreme risk. However, there have been no studies done on the safety of expired vape juice; therefore, it’s unclear if using it can be harmful to your health if used in excess. For this reason, it’s not recommended to use vape juice past its expiration date.
Proper Storage to Prolong Vape Juice Lifespan
The main factors that cause vape juice to go bad are sunlight, heat, and air. Air causes vape juice ingredients to oxidize, and light and heat can speed up this process. To prevent this, it’s important to properly store your vape juice in a dark, cool, and dry place. Some vapers even prefer to keep their vape juice in a refrigerator or freezer, as keeping it cold can significantly slow the degradation process.
Final Thoughts on Vape Juice Longevity
The lifespan of vape juice heavily depends on the quality of ingredients and storage conditions. At Daily Manufacturing, we have over 20 years providing contract manufacturing and private label services for customers in the vape juice industry. We follow strict quality control and manufacturing processes for fast-moving consumer goods. For more information about our vape juice manufacturing capabilities, contact us or request a quote today.