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What Is Nicotine Salt?
Touch of Vape FAQs
Nicotine salt has transformed the UK nic salt market and is why products like Bar Drop feel so different to older e-liquids. Here is a clear explanation of the chemistry, why it matters and who it is designed for.
Lower pH
Salt Chemistry Produces a Smoother Inhale
Faster
Nicotine Absorption Than Standard Freebase
20mg
UK Maximum, Smooth and Comfortable in Salt Form
The chemistry
What Is Nicotine Salt?
Nicotine combined with an organic acid to create a smoother, faster-absorbing form
The salt chemistry makes high-strength vaping comfortable for the first time
Nicotine salt is nicotine that has been combined with an organic acid, typically benzoic acid, to create a more stable, lower-pH salt form of the molecule. Standard e-liquid nicotine, called freebase nicotine, has a higher pH that produces a harsh throat hit at concentrations above 6mg/ml. Nicotine salts, with their lower pH, can be used at 10mg or 20mg with a much smoother inhale. This means it is now possible to get the nicotine delivery speed closer to a cigarette without the harshness that made high-strength freebase liquids uncomfortable.
Freebase vs salt
Nicotine Salts vs Freebase Nicotine: the Key Differences
The pH Difference and What It Means
Freebase nicotine at high concentrations (12mg+) has a high pH that produces a very pronounced, often harsh, throat hit. Nicotine salts have a lower pH thanks to the acid component. The result is a softer, smoother throat sensation at the same nicotine concentration. A 20mg nicotine salt liquid feels far less harsh than 20mg freebase, despite delivering the same amount of nicotine.
Faster Absorption Closer to a Cigarette
Nicotine salts are absorbed through the lung tissue more rapidly than freebase nicotine. This faster absorption means the nicotine reaches the bloodstream sooner after inhalation, more closely mimicking the rapid nicotine delivery of a cigarette. This is one of the key reasons modern nic salt pod devices are more effective at satisfying cigarette cravings than older vaping products.
Salt Nicotine Is for MTL Devices Only
Nicotine salt liquids are specifically for low-wattage, mouth-to-lung pod devices and pens. Using them in high-wattage sub-ohm devices would deliver dangerously high nicotine doses per puff due to the large vapour volume. Every nic salt product, including Bar Drop, specifies MTL device compatibility.
"Nicotine salts changed the accessibility of vaping for heavy smokers. Before salt formulations, 20mg freebase was unpleasant enough that many heavy smokers could not stay off cigarettes. Salts solved that."
Touch of Vape teamBar Drop Nicotine Salts
Try Bar Drop: Nicotine Salt at Its Smoothest
Available in 10mg and 20mg across a wide range of flavours. MHRA-notified, TRPR-compliant.
Shop the full Bar Drop range at our Bar Drop Nicotine Salts collection page.
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FAQs
Our FAQ guide covers nicotine salts, freebase nicotine, device types and everything you need to understand the products you use.
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Bar Drop Nic Salts: the Smoothest Way to Vape at 20mg.
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