National C60 Day, observed every October 9, commemorates the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of Carbon 60 (C60), a molecule that has sparked growing interest in wellness and healthy aging research. Created by C60 Power, a woman-owned wellness company specializing in Carbon 60 products, the day falls on the anniversary of October 9, 1996, when the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery of fullerenes. This year, consumers can participate in educational events, share community stories, and take advantage of a 20% storewide sale at ShopC60.com.
C60, also known as buckminsterfullerene or a "buckyball," is a hollow, spherical molecule made of exactly 60 carbon atoms arranged in 12 pentagons and 20 hexagons, the same pattern found on a classic soccer ball. Its discovery in 1985 by British chemist Harold Kroto and Rice University scientists Robert Curl and Richard Smalley revealed a new form of carbon. Kroto, inspired by architect R. Buckminster Fuller's geodesic domes, helped name the molecule in his honor. In 1990, Wolfgang Krätschmer and Donald Huffman developed a method to produce C60 in quantities large enough to study, and Science named it Molecule of the Year for 1991. The 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry followed, and in 2010, NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope detected C60 in space for the first time.
"National C60 Day gives us an opportunity to honor the science that introduced this extraordinary molecule to the world," said Jessica MacNaughton, CEO and cofounder of C60 Power. "This holiday may help consumers understand the importance of purity, and 3rd-party testing, along with the opportunity to learn more about the potential of the molecule." MacNaughton added that the goal is to make reliable C60 education more accessible so people can make informed choices for themselves and their animals.
Since its discovery, C60 research has expanded into chemistry, materials science, nanotechnology, energy, skincare, and wellness. Its ability to interact with free radicals is one reason C60 continues to attract attention in antioxidant research. Interest in C60 and healthy aging grew after a 2012 study reported that rats given C60 dissolved in olive oil lived longer than untreated rats. Consumers can review published studies at WhatIsC60.org and ShopC60.com/research.
To celebrate National C60 Day, individuals can share their story by posting a buckyball sketch, a molecule model, or a surprising fact on social media using #NationalC60Day, #Carbon60, and #C60. They can also explore the research and discuss a study or question online. Another option is to take the C60 Challenge: purchase C60 at ShopC60.com on October 9 and download the C60 30-Day Challenge Journal to track a C60 routine and how one feels.
For those looking to try C60 products, a 20% storewide discount is available until October 9, 2026, using code CELEBRATE20 at checkout on ShopC60.com. Additionally, a 10% off first-order code, NATIONAL10, is offered at ShopC60.com. C60 Power's products include C60 oils, gummies, skincare, and specialty formulations for pets, all made with 99.99 percent pure, sublimated C60 and certified organic carrier oils, and third-party tested for safety, quality, purity, and bioavailability. The company emphasizes that these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and that its products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease.
