Ever since its discovery in 1985, carbon 60, also known as buckminsterfullerene (commonly called “fullerene”), has been the subject of many scientific studies, perhaps most notably for its plausible effect on longevity.

Named “Molecule of the Year” in 1991, research since its discovery has shown that this carbon nano-molecule holds promise as a powerful antioxidant, antibiotic, and life-extender. While only two human clinical trials exist so far, the enormous potential of this nanostructure will no doubt be probed by more researchers.

Since this article was first published, interest in C60 has continued to expand. Researchers have examined fullerene compounds in connection with oxidative stress, inflammation, skin health, neurodegeneration, drug delivery, medical materials, and longevity—while continuing to call for more rigorous human clinical research.

 HoneyColony has partnered with C60 Power, giving our readers access to Carbon 60 oils, gummies, skincare, serum, eye cream, and other eligible individual C60 products.

Explore C60 Power through HoneyColony here and use code HONEYCOLONY for 10% off eligible individual products. Bundles and subscriptions are excluded from the discount.

C60: Super Antioxidants

Carbon 60 (C60) is an exceptional antioxidant. The fullerenes’ activity as “free radical scavengers” is what makes them so powerful. Free radicals are by-products of metabolism that the body removes. However, unhealthy lifestyle habits like smoking, drinking, and poor diet are factors. Age and stressors also play a role. When free radicals accumulate, causing oxidative stress, the body responds by manifesting disease symptoms.

Because free radicals are a by-product of oxygen metabolism, their primary enemies are called antioxidants.  

Dr. Puya Yazdi, Chief Medical Officer at SelfHacked, notes that this particular antioxidant is effective in studies because “it removes superoxide, which is a toxic by-product of cellular metabolism that contributes to tissue injury in many human diseases.”

Bolstering this antioxidant discussion, a 2023 study published in the Journal of Inflammation Research evaluated liposoluble C60 at the molecular, cellular, and whole-animal levels. Researchers reported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, while noting that C60’s medical mechanisms and applications still require additional study.

For readers interested in exploring Carbon 60 products, C60 Power offers oils, gummies, skincare, serum, eye cream, and other eligible individual products. Use code HONEYCOLONY for 10 percent off eligible individual products.

C60: Free Radical Scavenger

A 2017 research review published in Materials Today by a team of investigators from the U.S., England, Italy, and Iran explains some possible impacts of free radicals, which are produced by normal cellular metabolism as well as abnormal reactions, encouraged by some disorders. They can trigger tissue abnormalities, toxicities, and disease processes, damaging biological molecules such as proteins, lipids, and DNA. This leads to cell damage and, in some cases, to diseases such as cancer and atherosclerosis [citations omitted].

Fullerenes make exceptional scavengers because, the researchers explain, “the presence of several double bonds in the fullerene cage makes it able to react with free radicals.” One study showed that these elements, also called “buckyballs,” were more efficient scavengers than another antioxidant, vitamin E. 

This is the core reason C60 remains scientifically compelling: its unusual spherical carbon structure gives researchers a potential tool for studying oxidative stress across wellness, cosmetics, and experimental medicine.

Five Promising Areas These Little “Balls” Can Improve Human Health

1. Improve Longevity

Studies in rats have shown that C60 suspended in olive oil extended lifespans by 90 percent. This occurred without any toxic effects. Later studies have further shown that C60 helped extend the lifespan of mice by 5 to 14 percent. 

Derek Lowe, Ph.D., notes in a blog post at Science Translational Medicine that the “most likely mechanism for the life-extension effects is through oxidative stress and free radical scavenging.” 

Research update: Later studies have kept the longevity question alive, while also showing that the science is not settled. A 2021 mouse study reported increased lifespan in C60-treated animals compared with olive oil-treated animals. Another 2021 mouse study reported that C60 in olive oil did not extend lifespan in its model and raised concerns about light-dependent toxicity in certain oil-based formulations. The takeaway: C60 remains compelling in longevity research, but formulation, purity, storage, and more human research matter.

Chromosome Protectors

Buckyballs might also help lengthen lifespans by lengthening telomeres. Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of our chromosomes. As they deteriorate, so do our chromosomes.

“Once your telomeres become too short, you can no longer reproduce your cells and continue to live,” explains Makia Freeman, senior researcher at Tools for Freedom.  Carbon 60 helps prevent telomere shortening by reducing oxidative stress. 

2. Cancer Fighter

The Materials Today research review noted that fullerenes, perplexingly, can also act as oxidants: “In fact they are able to promote the production of ROS within cells and consequently can stimulate the development of oxidative stress in some circumstances,” the reviewers noted. 

ROS is an acronym for reactive oxygen species. High levels of these free radicals are associated with oxidative stress and damage to DNA, RNA, and proteins.  Yet it is this characteristic that might make them effective for attacking cancer cells. 

Fullerenes have been successfully incorporated into certain light-based cancer therapies. When combined with a carboxylic acid, C60 was shown in one study to induce phototoxicity in human cervical carcinoma cells. 

In addition, a 2009 study of irradiated mice reported that buckyballs suspended in water helped reduce damage from radiation: 

In separate animal research, scientists studied whether a hydrated, water-based form of C60 could reduce damage caused by intense radiation exposure. Mice given hydrated C60 before a lethal dose of X-ray radiation showed a modest survival benefit and less radiation-associated weight loss than untreated animals. While this finding is preliminary and does not establish C60 as a cancer treatment, it suggests that fullerene compounds may have protective antioxidant applications worthy of further study.

3. Anti-Inflammatory

Free radicals also contribute to inflammation. Some researchers have harnessed fullerenes to help fight inflammation caused by arthritis. One study showed that C60 helped protect bones against the effects of osteoarthritis. 

In another study, researchers injected water-soluble C60 into rats to assess its ability to reduce damage associated with rheumatoid arthritis caused by pro-inflammatory cytokine production, showing some promising effects. The researchers concluded that “C60 is a potential therapeutic agent for inhibition of arthritis.” 

Research update: More recent work continues to examine this connection. In the 2023 liposoluble C60 study, researchers reported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity across laboratory and animal models, adding to the scientific rationale for further study of C60 in inflammation-related conditions.

4. The Brain Warrior

Antioxidants are believed to help reverse the effects of aging on the brain, including memory loss. Given the incredible antioxidant properties of C60, it is no surprise that researchers are looking at its effects on neurodegenerative disorders.

One early study found that C60 had a neuroprotective effect on brain trauma by introducing fullerenes to cortical cell cultures exposed to excitotoxic and apoptotic injuries. Excitotoxicity is caused by glutamate and is described as “the basis of all acute neuronal injury in the adult brain.”  Apoptosis is a form of active cell death that requires energy production. 

In a later study, researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis, Missouri) reported that C60 showed potential in animal studies to protect the brain against neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS).

The research reviewers also cited a study that showed that “at low concentrations, [fullerenes] exhibit neuroprotective effect and increase hippocampal neuronal viability.” However, the same study showed that higher concentrations had adverse effects. 

As fullerene research progresses, this concentration issue remains essential: antioxidant and neuroprotective effects may depend heavily on the form of C60 used, the dose, the delivery method, and the biological setting.

5. Antibacterial And Antiviral Superagent

Studies have found positive results with the use of fullerenes in mice for the treatment of bacterial infections. This included Group A streptococcus, the bacteria that causes strep throat, skin infections, and toxic shock syndrome. C60 has also been used to help suppress other infections, including Bacillus subtilis (associated with meningitis and infections of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts), Candida albicans (which causes most yeast infections), and E. coli (some types of which can cause gastrointestinal distress, such as diarrhea and vomiting). 

Researchers have also been looking at the potential for fullerenes to combat the spread of the HIV virus. They’ve concluded that “fullerene derivatives can complex and inhibit  HIV protease based upon their structure, being able to bind in the cavity regions of HIV protease and inhibit virus replication significantly.” 

These findings concern experimental fullerene derivatives and laboratory applications. They do not establish that consumer C60 products prevent or treat bacterial or viral infections, but they do demonstrate why the molecule continues to draw interest across multiple areas of biomedical research.

6. Skin Defender

Carbon 60’s current recognition is for its potential to help reverse signs of skin aging and to treat acne. Only two clinical trials have been conducted in humans — both assessing its efficacy on the skin. A 2014 study showed that the use of carbon 60 to treat acne was effective for over 85 percent of the subjects. Another study showed improvements in the appearance of wrinkles when the compound was used in a skin cream.

C60 may prove to be a protector from sun damage, too. Another study of lab research using human skin samples showed that, when combined with liposomes, fullerenes helped protect skin from UV damage. 

Among C60’s consumer-facing applications, skincare has some of the most direct human research. In a double-blind eight-week study involving 23 women, researchers evaluated fullerene-C60 dissolved in squalane for wrinkle appearance and reported improvement in wrinkle appearance and skin roughness compared with placebo. A separate clinical study evaluated topical fullerene gel for acne and reported a significant reduction in inflammatory lesions during treatment.

HoneyColony readers interested in exploring topical and oral C60 products can shop C60 Power’s eligible individual products, including skincare, serum, eye cream, oils, and gummies. Shop C60 Power through HoneyColony and use code HONEYCOLONY for 10 percent off eligible individual products.

Need For More Research

Unfortunately, there are still only a few large-scale trials demonstrating that C60 can affect human health and longevity. Most of the existing research comes from labs using computer models, in test tubes, or on animals. Though many studies show positive effects, a few studies implicate fullerenes as damaging to DNA. One study found that carbon 60 may be toxic to zebrafish due to its ability to permeate cell membranes.

There have been no reports of damage to people from taking carbon 60. There have also been no reported side effects from the two clinical trials. However, medical and scientific observers are calling for long-term clinical studies to prove its safety and efficacy in humans.

If you decide to try carbon 60 for yourself, be sure to stick to the recommended dosages. Higher amounts have had adverse effects in studies. In addition, avoid taking C60 in a pure form — always dissolve it in olive oil.  

There’s still work to do. However, the potential for carbon 60 to significantly impact health and longevity might be just the key we’re looking for. Especially when it comes to its antioxidant power.

Research published after this article first appeared further reinforces the importance of product quality, formulation, and storage. In particular, a 2021 mouse study found that exposure to ambient light could generate toxic species in the tested oil-based C60 formulation. Anyone choosing a C60 product should pay attention to purity, packaging, storage instructions, and the manufacturer’s transparency.

There’s still work to do. However, the potential for carbon 60 to significantly impact health and longevity might be just the key we’re looking for. Especially when it comes to its antioxidant power.

Explore C60 Power Through HoneyColony

Carbon 60 remains one of the most unusual compounds in modern wellness research: a spherical carbon molecule being investigated across antioxidant science, inflammation, skin health, neuroprotection, radiation damage, and longevity.

HoneyColony readers can explore eligible individual C60 Power products, including oils, gummies, skincare, serum, eye cream, and other individual C60 products.

Shop C60 Power Through HoneyColony

Use code HONEYCOLONY at checkout for 10 percent off eligible individual products. Bundles and subscriptions are excluded from the discount.

Affiliate disclosure: HoneyColony may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through this link, at no additional cost to you. This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Updated Research References

Shytikov D, et al. “Effect of Long-Term Treatment with C60 Fullerenes on the Lifespan and Health Span of CBA/Ca Mice.” Rejuvenation Research. 2021.

Grohn KJ, et al. “C60 in Olive Oil Causes Light-Dependent Toxicity and Does Not Extend Lifespan in Mice.” GeroScience. 2021.

Hui M, et al. “Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects of Liposoluble C60 at the Cellular, Molecular, and Whole-Animal Levels.” Journal of Inflammation Research. 2023.

Kato S, et al. “Clinical Evaluation of Fullerene-C60 Dissolved in Squalane for Anti-Wrinkle Cosmetics.” Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. 2010.

Inui S, et al. “Improvement of Acne Vulgaris by Topical Fullerene Application.” Nanomedicine. 2011.