Watermill Punch
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Tropic Punch
Ice Kaktuz
Miss Joosy
In short: A nicotine salt liquid (also known as nic salt) contains nicotine, which has been mixed with an organic acid. As a result, many feel the steam softer in the neck even with higher strengths than with classic freebase nicotine. The indication in mg/ml describes how much nicotine is contained in a millilitre: 0 mg is nicotine-free, 6 mg low, 12 mg medium and 20 mg the maximum permitted limit in Germany. nicotine salt liquids are designed for refillable pod systems and MTL devices.
What is nicotine salt?
Nicotine occurs in two forms in e-liquids. For Freebase nicotine the nicotine is predominantly present in its "free", basic form – as it was common in the first liquid generations. For Nicotine salt an organic acid is added to the nicotine (often benzoic acid). This lowers the pH, and the nicotine is mainly present in protonated form.
For you as a user, this means above all one thing: Many feel nicotine salt liquids with the same concentration as Milder in the neck. Therefore, higher strengths such as 12 or 20 mg/ml are common in compact pod systems, while freebase fluids in these strengths are often described as scratchy.
Important: "Salt" has nothing to do with salt, and "mild in the neck" does not mean "less nicotine". 20 mg/ml remain 20 mg of nicotine per millilitre – in whatever form.
What do 0, 6, 12 and 20 mg/ml mean?
The indication mg/ml describes the nicotine concentration. With a 10 ml bottle you can easily calculate the total content:
| Strength | Nicotine per 10 ml bottle | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| 0 mg/ml | 0 mg | nicotine-free |
| 6 mg/ml | 60 mg | low strength |
| 12 mg/ml | 120 mg | medium strength |
| 20 mg/ml | 200 mg | Legal ceiling in Germany/EU |
Other brands partly use 5, 10 and 20 mg/ml – such as Holster liquids or Elfliq. The principle is the same.
For whom is what strength intended?
What strength fits is individual and depends on habit, device and tensile behavior. As a rough orientation for adult users who already consume nicotine:
- 0 mg/ml: for those who don't want nicotine and just want the taste. For more information: Nicotine-free liquids; all 0 mg liquids in the shop can be found at Nicotine-free liquids.
- 6 mg/ml: for casual users or those who prefer low strength.
- 12 mg/ml: the mean level, often chosen by users who are 6 mg too little and 20 mg too much.
- 20 mg/ml: the high permitted strength, typically in disposable vapes and pre-filled pods.
Those who do not consume nicotine should not start using liquids. Nicotine is very addictive.
Nicotine salt or Freebase – what is the difference in practice?
| Nicotine salt | Freebase | |
|---|---|---|
| Feeling in the neck | perceived by many as softer | "Throat Hit" |
| Typical strengths | 6–20 mg/ml | usually 3–12 mg/ml |
| Typical devices | Pod systems, low power MTL devices | MTL and DL vaporizers, whether or not with higher power |
| Liquidity consumption | rather low (small pods, little power) | for DL devices significantly higher |
Important for safety: Nicotine salt liquids with high strength belong in devices with low performance, i.e. pods and MTL systems. In powerful sub-ohm vaporizers, much more liquid would be evaporated – this is not intended for high nicotine strengths.
Which device do I need for nicotine salt liquids?
Ideal are refillable pod systems with vaporizer heads from about 0.6 ohms and an MTL train (mouth-to-lung). Examples from our range are starter sets in the Vape Kits as well as matching empty pods in the category Pods. The product page of the device shows which resistors and liquids are recommended – this manufacturer specification always has priority.
Disposable vapes and pre-filled pods already contain a nicotine salt liquid, usually with 20 mg/ml, and cannot be refilled. For more information: Liquid for pods and disposable vapes.
Nicotine salt liquids in Holster Shop
- LIQ IT liquids: 10 ml, PG/VG 50/50, 19 flavors from fruit to ice in 0, 6, 12 and 20 mg/ml – in all the strengths explained here. You select the strength on the product page; the mg number in the product name is only the standard strength. All flavors explains the LIQ IT Variety Guide.
- Holster liquids: the Holster shisha aromas as nicotine salt in 5, 10 and 20 mg/ml for MTL devices.
- Other brands like Dojoliq (10 and 20 mg/ml) or Elfliq you can find at E-Liquids.
LIQ IT nicotine salt liquids are listed in the category LIQ IT Liquids.
Change or reduce strength: this is how you
Many adults who already use nicotine want to change their strength at some point. Because LIQ IT is the same flavor in 20, 12, 6 and 0 mg/ml offer, you can stay with your favorite taste and only adjust the strength. A step-by-step approach has proved its worth:
- One step at a time: For example, from 20 to 12 mg/ml, later to 6 mg/ml. Big jumps are harder for many.
- Observe train behaviour: Who pulls significantly more often or longer after the change consumes more liquid and in the end absorbs similarly much nicotine. A look at consumption helps – see How long does 10 ml of liquid last?
- Do not mix strengths in the pod: Two liquids with different strength in one pod result in an unknown concentration. Better use two pods in a change.
- 0 mg as last step: The nicotine-free variant tastes like the nicotine-containing, only without scratching in the neck. All 0 mg liquids can be found at Nicotine-free liquids.
This isn't medical advice. If you want to stop using nicotine, you will find support with doctors or with the smoke-free offer of the Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG, formerly BZgA).
How to recognize the strength on the label and product page
On each nicotine-containing bottle is the nicotine concentration in mg/ml, with the mandatory warning "This product contains nicotine: a substance that is highly dependent. nicotine-free bottles are marked with 0 mg/ml. In the Holster Shop you select the strength of LIQ IT as a variant directly on the product page or via the mg buttons in the product box. Attention: The mg specification in the product name ("12MG/ML) comes from the supplier and is only the standard strength – the decisive factor is the chosen variant, which is also displayed in the shopping cart.
Safely store and bypass correctly
- Always close liquids containing nicotine and keep it out of reach of children and pets.
- Store in a cool, dry and light-proof place; turn the bottle immediately after filling.
- Wash the area with water when contacting the skin.
- Do not change strengths ‘blind': If you go from 12 mg/ml to 20 mg/ml, you will receive significantly more nicotine with the same tensile behaviour.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between nicotine salt and normal nicotine?
In nicotine salt, an organic acid is added to the nicotine. This lowers the pH, which is why many people feel the steam is softer in the neck. The amount of nicotine per millilitre remains the same with the same mg dose.
Is nicotine salt 20 mg stronger than 20 mg freebase?
The concentration is the same: in both cases it is 20 mg nicotine per millilitre. There are differences in the feeling in the neck and in the equipment's suitability, not in the importance of the number.
What is the high permitted nicotine strength in Germany?
Liquids containing nicotine may contain no more than 20 mg of nicotine per millilitre in Germany and the EU. Refill containers containing nicotine may hold a maximum of 10 ml.
What strength do beginners choose?
If you do not consume nicotine, do not start with nicotine-containing liquids. Adults who already use nicotine orientate themselves according to their previous habits; many start with 6 or 12 mg/ml and adapt if necessary.
Can I use nicotine salt liquid in any vaporizer?
Nicotine salt liquids with 12 or 20 mg/ml is designed for low-performance pod systems and MTL devices, not for powerful sub-ohm vaporizers. Note the manufacturer's details of your device.
Is there nicotine salt liquids without nicotine?
Nicotine salt refers only to the form of nicotine. A 0 mg variant contains no nicotine and therefore no nicotine salt – but the aroma is usually identical. LIQ IT is also available in 0 mg/ml in most flavors.
How do I recognize the selected strength in the Holster Shop?
You select the strength as a variant on the product page or via the mg buttons in the product box. The selected strength is displayed in the shopping cart. The mg number in the product name is only the standard strength.
Matching: Nicotine salt or normal liquid? The Difference Explains.
Note: All liquids and tobacco products in the Holster Shop are only sold to adults aged 18 and over, shipping only within Germany with age verification. Products containing nicotine contain nicotine, a substance that is very dependent. This guide serves the product information and is not a medical or legal consultation. As of October 2026.