By the C60 Evo team. Last updated September 23, 2026.
Short answer: ESS60 is C60 that has gone through extra purification to remove the solvents used to make it, so it is suited for people and pets. C60 is a round molecule made of 60 carbon atoms, and its discovery earned the 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Because C60 does not dissolve in water, ESS60 is carried in oil, such as organic olive, avocado or MCT coconut oil, or in softgel capsules.
What is C60?
C60 is a molecule made of exactly 60 carbon atoms. The atoms are joined in a closed, hollow sphere of 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons, the same pattern as a soccer ball. It measures about one nanometer across.
Who discovered C60?
Researchers at Rice University in Houston discovered C60 in 1985 while studying what happens when graphite is vaporized with a laser. Robert Curl, Harold Kroto and Richard Smalley received the 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery of fullerenes, the family of carbon molecules that C60 belongs to. The prize recognized the discovery of the molecule itself, not any use of it.
Why is C60 called a “buckyball”?
The discoverers named the molecule buckminsterfullerene after the architect Buckminster Fuller, whose geodesic domes share its shape. “Buckyball” is the short version, and “fullerene” is the name for the wider family of closed carbon cages.
What does “ESS60” mean?
ESS60 is the name used for C60 that has been taken through additional processing to remove every trace of the solvents used to separate it. C60 is made for many industrial and research uses, and most of it is never intended to be eaten. ESS60 is the grade prepared for people and pets. Every product C60 Evo sells uses Pure ESS60.
ESS60 compared with other C60
| Pure ESS60 | Industrial or research C60 | |
|---|---|---|
| Intended use | People and pets | Materials science, electronics, lab work |
| Solvent removal | Additional drying and evaporation steps, then tested for residual solvents | Not required for its intended use |
| Testing | Purity and residual-solvent testing | Purity only, if at all |
| Form you buy | Dissolved in organic food oil, or in softgels | Dry black powder |
How ESS60 is made
From soot to C60
C60 forms naturally in small amounts in carbon soot. To collect it, the soot is washed with a solvent that dissolves fullerenes. The fullerenes are then separated from one another by chromatography, which pulls C60 away from larger cousins such as C70.
Removing the solvents
The separation steps leave solvent behind. For ESS60, the C60 goes through further vacuum drying, heat drying and evaporation steps designed to remove that residue. Each batch is then checked with a residual-solvent test, a lab method that detects traces of the solvents used earlier in the process.
Solvent-free processing is not the same as sublimation
You may see some C60 sold as “sublimated.” Sublimation is a different purification route that heats C60 until it turns straight from a solid into a gas and back again, with no oxygen present. ESS60 is purified by the solvent-removal steps above, not by sublimation. Both are methods for cleaning up C60. The label should tell you which one was used.
What does “99.99% pure” actually measure?
A purity percentage on C60 usually describes how much of the fullerene material is C60 rather than other fullerenes such as C70. It is measured with a lab method called HPLC. It does not tell you whether solvent is left in the product. That is why purity and “solvent-free” are two separate claims, backed by two separate tests. When you compare products, look for both.
Why does ESS60 come in oil?
C60 does not dissolve in water, but it does dissolve in fats and oils. Carrying it in oil turns a dry powder into something you can take by the teaspoon. C60 Evo uses three organic oils:
- Organic extra virgin olive oil: the classic choice, with a mild olive flavor.
- Organic avocado oil: lighter and nearly flavorless.
- Organic MCT coconut oil: neutral in taste and popular with keto and fasting routines.
For people who would rather not use a spoon, Pure ESS60 is also sealed in extra virgin olive oil softgel capsules. C60 Evo also makes pet formulas for dogs and cats, and skin care made with ESS60.
What safety research exists?
The 2024 short-term oral toxicity study
In 2024 the EXCLI Journal published a short-term oral toxicity study of C60 dissolved in extra virgin olive oil. It was run in a certified lab following international (OECD) testing guidelines. Twenty rats received either plain olive oil or C60 in olive oil every day for 14 days, at the highest dose the oil could carry. The researchers found no deaths, no signs of illness, and no harmful changes in body weight, blood work, organ weights or tissue exams.
What the study does not show
This was one dose level, over two weeks, in animals. It does not tell us about long-term use or about people, and it was funded by a C60 supplier whose owners were among the authors. Independent sources such as WebMD still say there is not enough reliable information about taking C60 by mouth. We think you should have the full picture, including what is still unknown.
Light, storage and product quality
Light can change oils over time, and C60 oils sold online vary widely in quality. That is why C60 Evo packs its oils in light-protective glass bottles. Store your bottle out of direct light, close the cap after each use, and follow the storage directions on the label.
How to read a C60 label
- Does it say ESS60? “C60” alone does not tell you the grade.
- Is it solvent-free, and is there a test to show it? Ask for the residual-solvent results.
- What does the purity figure measure? A purity percentage is not a solvent test.
- What oil is it in? Look for an organic, food-grade oil.
- Is the bottle light-protective? Dark or tinted glass helps protect the oil.
- Where is it made? C60 Evo products are made in the USA.
How much should I take?
Follow the serving size on your product label. C60 Evo’s dosage guide and pet dosage guide explain the label directions for each product. Talk with your healthcare provider before starting any supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition.
Frequently asked questions
Is ESS60 the same as C60?
ESS60 is C60. It is the same molecule, taken through extra purification to remove solvent residue so it is suited for people and pets.
Is ESS60 solvent-free?
Yes. That is what the name refers to. After the standard separation steps, ESS60 goes through additional drying and evaporation and is tested for residual solvents. Every batch of C60 Evo’s Pure ESS60 is lab-verified and solvent-free.
Why is ESS60 sold in olive oil?
C60 does not dissolve in water, so it needs a fat or oil to carry it. Olive oil is the traditional carrier. C60 Evo also offers organic avocado and MCT coconut oil, and softgel capsules.
Did C60 win a Nobel Prize?
The 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry went to Robert Curl, Harold Kroto and Richard Smalley for discovering fullerenes, the molecule family that includes C60. The prize was for the discovery. It did not concern any product or health use.
How should I store ESS60 oil?
Keep it out of direct light, with the cap closed, and follow the storage directions on the label. C60 Evo bottles are glass to help protect the oil from light.
Is there ESS60 for pets?
Yes. C60 Evo makes Pure ESS60 oils for dogs and cats, with pet-friendly flavors. See the pet dosage guide for label directions.
Sources
- Nobel Prize Outreach. The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1996.
- Burres C. et al. A regulatory compliant short-term oral toxicity study of soluble [60]fullerenes in rats. EXCLI Journal 23:772–786 (2024). PMC11231456.
- WebMD. C60 overview.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.