sulfate
A salt or ester of sulfuric acid.
[C/U] Both
pl: sulfates
This term carries a clinical, chemical precision, evoking images of white crystalline powders and laboratory beakers. It is rarely used in casual conversation unless discussing skincare ingredients or industrial processes, where it functions as a technical marker of chemical composition.
In the beauty and hygiene industry, the word often takes on a negative connotation. Consumers associate sulfates with harsh stripping agents that remove natural oils from hair and skin, making the term a focal point for marketing claims regarding gentleness and purity.
Countable when referring to a specific chemical compound like copper sulfate. Uncountable when referring to the general class of chemical substances in a mixture.