The History of Labisan: From Austrian Alps to Mount Everest

In 1931, in a small pharmacy nestled in the Austrian Alps, a pharmacist set out to solve a problem that plagued every skier, mountaineer, and outdoor worker in the region: cracked, sun damaged, cold sore prone lips. The result was Labisan, a protective lip balm that would go on to become one of the most trusted names in alpine Lip Care for nearly a century.

The Austrian Origins (1931)

The early 1930s were a golden age for alpine sports in Austria. Skiing was booming, mountaineering clubs were growing, and the Austrian Alps attracted adventurers from across Europe. But the high altitude environment was brutal on exposed skin, particularly the lips.

Existing Lip Care products were simple petroleum based salves that offered minimal protection against the intense UV radiation at altitude. The founding pharmacist recognized that effective alpine Lip Care needed to do three things simultaneously: block UV rays, seal in moisture against wind and cold, and soothe already damaged tissue with healing botanical compounds.

The original Labisan formula combined zinc oxide (a mineral UV blocker still considered the gold standard today), nourishing plant butters, and alpine botanical extracts. It was an immediate success in Austrian pharmacies, becoming the go to recommendation for anyone heading into the mountains.

Everest 1953: The Ultimate Test

In 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made history by summiting Mount Everest for the first time. The expedition carried Labisan lip balm as part of their essential gear. At 8,849 meters, the conditions represent the absolute extreme of everything that damages lips: UV radiation 50% stronger than sea level, temperatures plunging below minus 40 degrees, and relentless wind that strips moisture in seconds.

The fact that Labisan was selected for this expedition speaks volumes about its reputation in the mountaineering community. By 1953, the formula had already earned two decades of trust among Europe's most serious alpine athletes. Everest was the ultimate validation.

Reinhold Messner and the Golden Age of Mountaineering

In the decades that followed, Labisan became synonymous with serious mountaineering. When Reinhold Messner, widely regarded as the greatest mountaineer in history, embarked on his legendary expeditions in the 1980s, Labisan was part of his kit. Messner completed all fourteen 8,000 meter peaks, often in the most extreme conditions imaginable, and his endorsement cemented Labisan's position as the lip protection of choice for elite alpinists.

The Science Behind the Heritage

What makes Labisan's longevity remarkable is that its core philosophy has never changed: combine the best available UV protection with natural healing ingredients. While the specific formula has been refined over the decades to incorporate the latest in botanical science, the approach remains the same.

Today's Labisan Protective formula includes:

• Zinc Oxide for broad spectrum SPF 20 physical sun protection
• Shea Butter for deep moisture sealing and barrier protection
• Graviola Extract for its soothing, anti inflammatory properties
• Manuka Oil for natural antibacterial and antiviral activity
• Oregano Oil for additional antimicrobial defense
• Astaxanthin for powerful antioxidant protection against UV damage
• Vitamin E for skin repair and moisture retention
• Menthol for cooling relief and sensory comfort

Made in Austria, Trusted Worldwide

Nearly a century after its founding, Labisan remains proudly made in Austria. The brand maintains its commitment to quality manufacturing, vegan formulation, cruelty free testing, and reef friendly ingredients. Every tube is produced to the exacting standards that Austrian pharmaceutical tradition demands.

From a single pharmacy in the Alps to the summit of the world's highest peak, Labisan's journey is a testament to what happens when you get the formula right. Some things are worth preserving.