Terpenes are natural aromatic compounds found in plants, including cannabis, and they’re among the most versatile ingredients in different products and applications.
From vape carts to edibles and even aromatherapy, terpenes are known to enhance flavor, aroma, and the overall product experience.
Whether you’re a consumer experimenting with different terpene applications at home or a brand developing products at scale, knowing all the different ways you can use terpenes can open up new possibilities.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the most common and effective ways to use terpenes and how to do so correctly.
What are Terpenes?
You’ve probably smelled a distinct scent if you’ve ever been around someone smoking up. That is the signature terpene smell.
Terpenes are isolated from plants to create flavors and scents for everyday products like perfumes, body products, and sometimes even food. Research indicates that terpenes have medicinal properties; the Iranian Journal of Microbiology specifically studied the effects of pinene and limonene and found they have antiviral properties.
Terpenes are a key ingredient in all essential oils that you find, even in your skincare products.
Tea tree oil is an example of a natural terpene. It comes from several plants from the Myrtaceae family, indigenous to Australia and New Zealand.
It is known for its anti-inflammatory effects and its ability to help with active acne. It is a key ingredient in many topical medications and is used to treat infections.
Citrus Oil, or lime oil, is another natural terpene with a distinct taste and scent, making it a perfect addition to homemade foods like salsa. It’s also effective as a sanitizing agent in dishwashing soaps, wood polish, etc.
You see, there are various applications for terpenes beyond adding desirable aroma and flavor to cannabis products.
If you’re new to the world of terpenes or just curious about what you’re consuming to feel at ease, we’ve created a comprehensive copy to help take you through the process of using terpenes.
6 Different Ways to Use Terpenes
To effectively use terpenes, you need to understand that it has a wide range of uses, from medicinal purposes, aromatherapy, to just smoking up with your friends or relieving stress.
If you’re going to be buying a bottle, you might as well learn how to use it properly.
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Create Custom Cannabis Oil Blends for Vaping
For the most part, terpenes are added to or reintroduced into THC distillate and CBD oil to restore the flavor lost during the refinement process.
Terpenes help improve the flavor, aroma, and overall vaping experience of distillates, which can be effective as is, but give a one-sided high when consumed, unlike when blended with terpenes.
With the rising popularity of vaping and vape pens sold at wholesale, enthusiasts and rookies alike are increasingly interested in terpenes. People are experimenting with different oils and generally have more control over which ones suit them.
For brands, customizing their blends can help develop unique flavor profiles and create signature products for either white-label vape brands or boutique cannabis lines.
When blending, the best practice is to use a terpene-to-distillate ratio of 1% to 5%.
Start with 1% and work your way up until you get the right viscosity and experience. Make sure to pair it with proper, high-quality cartridge hardware for the best experience!
Not only do we offer the best cannabis vape cartridges and 510 batteries that maximize terpene-rich concentrates, but we also offer high-quality Botanically-Derived Terpenes and custom terpene blends designed specifically for vape cartridges, helping brands create consistent, flavorful products at scale!
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Infusing Edibles and Beverages
Edible cannabis products have terpenes that naturally enhance the flavor and add aroma complexity. Cannabis-infused gummies, chocolates, and drinks usually have food-grade terpenes in low concentrations.
You can also infuse terpenes into your cooking to create unique gourmet experiences and offer potential health benefits, such as relaxation or anti-inflammatory effects. Terpenes alone don’t cause psychoactive effects.
You can experiment by matching terpenes with different food profiles! The lemony limonene pairs well with desserts and salads, while pinene complements roasted savory dishes.
The best technique for terpene infusion in foods is to dilute it with oil, butter, or fat first to avoid overpowering your food. It can be added to finished dishes like soups, salads, dressings, sauces, and baked goods.
Make sure to add the terpene-infused oil toward the end of the process, as heat can degrade terpenes.
For drinks, the terpenes can be diluted with honey or syrup before adding to teas or cocktails, before blending.
At Vape Pens Wholesale, our flavored terpene blends are food-grade and optimized for vape and extract formulations! Check out our full collection here.
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Aromatherapy and Wellness Products
Terpenes are a popular addition to aromatherapy and wellness products for their potent aroma and potential therapeutic effects. They’re typically added to essential oil blends and diffusers for home fragrance and relaxation.
People use them to keep their houses smelling fresh and for their aromatherapy benefits. A diffuser comes in the form of a reed diffuser, free of electricity and easy to use. However, the electric ones are great for larger spaces as they emit a powerful aroma.
Depending on the effect you want from your terpene oils, you can choose a lavender scent for a calming effect or citrus oils containing limonene for a boost of energy and vigor.
Other popular terpenes for aromatherapy are the spicy, floral, and fruity linalool, which also has a calming effect.
Edibles, tinctures, and oils marketed as wellness products also contain terpenes not only for their aroma but also for their potential interactions with the body’s receptors.
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Topicals and Skincare Products
Add a few drops of terpenes to every gram of CBD distillate, and you’ll be creating an extremely relaxing muscle rub, skin cream, or bath oil. Not only do they enhance the scent, but they also add therapeutic and/or anti-inflammatory properties to the topical product.
Some terpenes, such as limonene, nerolidol, and pinene, help other active ingredients penetrate deeper into the skin barrier, increasing the product's efficacy.
Pinene also contains antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it effective in acne treatments. Skincare products for sensitive or irritated skin also typically contain linalool and beta-caryophyllene, as these terpenes help reduce inflammation.
Myrcene is known to help maintain skin elasticity and fight free radicals.
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Enhancing Cannabis Flower (Terpene Boosting)
If you’re smoking or vaping cannabis buds instead of the concentrates, terpenes can be sprayed lightly on old, dried-out buds to restore their aroma and flavor. This is called re-terping.
To do this, lightly spray the buds with a very fine mist of terpenes, then let them rest for 24 to 48 hours in a sealed container to lock-in the terpene aroma and flavor.
The key here is controlled misting, as too much moisture can promote mold and bacterial growth, and potent terpenes can easily overpower the cannabis’s natural flavor.
Adding terpenes to old, dried-out bud will not increase THC potency; it only enhances the flavor and scent.
Some cannabis growers also mist the cannabis flowers post-harvest to further enhance the aroma or make lower-quality, mass-produced cannabis appear more premium, a trick or an unfortunately deceptive practice by some producers.
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Creating Signature Scented Products
Any hobbyist or business owner who sells scented candles, air fresheners, and such makes good use of terpenes to create natural, plant-based aroma and add to the therapeutic and aromatherapy benefits
While many conventional candles use synthetic fragrances, terpene-infused candles are growing in popularity, especially cannabis-inspired scents. However, they do not contain THC that gives the “high.”
Safety Guidelines When Using Terpenes
Terpenes are potent, highly concentrated compounds that need careful handling to avoid accidents or chemical burns.
Things to Flag
While terpenes open a world for us to explore, there are limitations to their use. The most important thing to know about using pure terpenes is that they are not intended to be used at their full capacity. This can be extremely dangerous.
All food-grade terpenes need to be diluted before they are added to any product, whether edible, topical, or for smoking. Letting pure terpenes come in contact with your naked skin can cause burns. Keep them away from your eyes.
Start with a 3% concentration of weed terpenes in your hemp oil, and increase it every 0.5%, depending on how you like it. When you use terpenes with your herbs, keep in mind that they are not water-soluble.
Use Proper Concentrations
Terpenes are typically added at 1% to 5% of the total formulation for safe use. Say, you have a 2ml cannabis concentrate, you’ll only need to add 0.02ml to 0.1ml of terpene, or roughly about a maximum of 2 drops.
Direct contact can cause severe skin or mouth irritation, and high doses can cause lightheadedness.
Store Properly
As terpenes are highly volatile, they degrade quickly in an improper environment. Always store them in a cool, dry, and dark place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Keep them in tightly sealed, original containers.
Terpenes are highly flammable; keep them away from open flames to avoid any accidents.
Application-Specific Safety
When vaping, use a high-quality vaporizer with a variable-voltage feature. Terpenes can be easily overheated, which can produce toxins. Always use a lower range temperature when vaping terpene-rich concentrates.
When using topical solutions containing terpenes, perform a patch test on a small area of your skin to avoid allergic reactions, as some terpenes can cause sensitivity, especially when not properly blended and proportioned.
And when handling pure terpenes for cooking or crafting, wear gloves and avoid touching your face. If contact occurs, wash the area with mild soap and water immediately.
Vape Pens Wholesale Advantage
At Vape Pens Wholesale, we give you a complete advantage by offering both food-grade, botanically derived terpene blends and custom formulations, along with high-quality vape hardware built for optimal performance.
This means you’re not just sourcing ingredients—you’re getting a fully compatible solution designed to deliver consistent flavor, smooth vapor, and reliable results!
Whether you’re a brand developing signature profiles or a retailer looking for ready-to-market products, our terpene blends are crafted for quality and safety, while our cartridges and batteries are engineered to preserve terpene integrity.
With everything working together seamlessly, we make it easier for you to create premium vape products your customers can trust!
Check out all our product offerings here:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much terpene should I use in oil?
In most vape formulations, terpenes are typically added at about 2–10% of the total oil volume, depending on the desired flavor and viscosity. Higher concentrations can make the vapor harsh and irritating. Proper dilution and testing are important to maintain safety and performance.
Can terpenes be used outside of vaping?
Yes. Terpenes are also used in aromatherapy, topical products, food flavoring, and fragrance applications. However, they must be formulated specifically for their intended use and properly diluted.
Are botanically derived terpenes safe?
Botanically derived terpenes (BDT) are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for food use by the FDA when used appropriately. However, inhalation safety depends on purity, concentration, and formulation. Always use lab-tested products from reputable sources.
What’s the difference between BDT and CDT?
BDT (Botanically Derived Terpenes) come from non-cannabis plants like citrus or pine. CDT (Cannabis-Derived Terpenes) are extracted directly from cannabis and more closely reflect a specific strain’s natural profile. The main difference is the source and the flavor's authenticity.
Can I create my own terpene blends?
Technically, yes, but it requires precise measurement, proper dilution, and knowledge of safe concentration limits. Terpenes are highly potent and can be irritating in high amounts. Lab testing is recommended for safety and consistency.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the question remains: why should one use terpenes at all?
These are heavy oils that have been used for centuries for aromatherapy, i.e., to improve mental and physical well-being. They help relieve stress by interacting with the body to trigger effects, such as making you sleepy and relaxed.
However, to fully benefit from terpenes, you need to know what each one does. Due to the variety, they have different smells that also contribute to their varying effects.
Going through a full range of cannabis derived terpenes can open up doors for you to explore which ones are more suited to your needs.
Whether you’re formulating vape carts, edibles, or custom cannabis products, we offer premium botanically derived terpenes (BDT) and custom blends to help you create consistent, high-quality results. Explore Vape Pens Wholesale today and take your formulations to the next level!
Check out our other recommended articles below!
- Distillate vs. Live Resin: Which Cart is Better
- What are Terpenes and Do They Have Any Benefits?
- Terpene Mixing Instruction
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