Our Heritage
Blistex Inc. is a thriving, family-owned company that was founded in 1947. Since then, we’ve grown through strategic brand acquisitions to build an innovative portfolio of consumer healthcare brands.
1930s
A pharmacist in Seattle develops an effective ointment for treating cold sores and chapped lips
1947
Charles Arch incorporates Blistex Inc. in Chicago, IL
1949
Blistex runs its first national advertising campaign, primarily through magazines
1952
Blistex expands to Canada
1956
Blistex introduces its first lip balm in the industry’s first swivel propelled stick
1964
Blistex expands to the United Kingdom
1970s
Blistex expands to Western European markets
1977
Blistex acquires Kank-A, the first American Dental Association (ADA) approved product to treat the pain of mouth sores
1978
Blistex expands and moves into current headquarters and purchases the Ivarest brand
1980s
Blistex expands into Asia and Latin America
1990s
Blistex expands to Eastern Europe
1996
Blistex acquires the Stridex brand
2004
Blistex acquires the Glysomed brand in Canada
2010
Blistex acquires the Odor-Eaters brand
2016
Blistex acquires the Tucks brand
2022
Blistex celebrates 75 years of growth, development and innovation
2024
Blistex adds new distribution center in Woodridge, Illinois, to plan for growth and enable expansion of existing in-house manufacturing
