E-cash remains a consumable entity in the same way as other consumer products, and therefore requires the application of adequate conservation measures. The nature of the components and the method of manufacture can influence the properties of the liquid, which directly affects the short and long term shelf life.
Elements impacting the conservation of an e-liquid
Similar to medicines, e-liquids are relatively susceptible to heat, and can age more quickly if they are not stored at the right temperature (between 18°C and 20°C). It is also recommended to place the vials in a dry and dark heat-proof space to improve the conservation of e-liquids.
Light is then a factor capable of degrading the components of an e-liquid (aromas, nicotine, etc.), and under the action of UV rays, the mixture will gradually turn brown without impacting the health of the consumer. However, some e-liquids are distributed in opaque bottles in order to limit the effects of UV rays.
Finally, air is an element that should not be neglected when the e-liquid has been opened because some compounds can be denatured by being oxidized. This phenomenon will also be responsible for the loss of flavor in 7 days and will become definitively consequent after 15 days. In the case of an e-liquid DIY, the manufacturer is advised to fill the container to its maximum volume in order to limit the presence of air.
Shelf life on short term or long term
An individual consuming these bottles of e-liquids quickly within a few days can simply keep them on a desk or in a bag without any special conditions. However, the e-liquids should not be exposed to high temperatures such as summer heat wave (40°C maximum) to avoid repeated oxidation for bottled e-liquids.
The long-term conservation of e-liquids requires minimizing the effect of parameters accelerating the aging of the mixture. Indeed, a vaporizer wishing to preserve an e-liquid should not open or use a bottle that it has no intention of consuming in the days following its opening. Attention, e-liquids placed in a refrigerator or freezer may become more viscous and should be put in contact with the ambient air to regain normal fluidity, at the risk of oxidizing the nicotine.
Personalize the conservation: e-liquids DIY
The DIYs contain personalized dosages by the vaporizer and will thus modify the physical properties of the e-liquid. These are always governed by generic preservative measures, and can be more or less sensitive to the influence of elements depending on their composition. For example, the conservation of e-liquids with a high concentration of Propylene Glycol (PG) will be less complex because PG is an excellent preservative.