I would think that most Marine zippers have plastic teeth and a slider or operating mechanism that is made from some kind of metal, likely an alum. alloy of some kind, that more often than not has the letters YKK molded into the handle. This fine Japanese company is said to enjoy over half of the worlds zipper market.
The zipper's teeth, being plastic are, if clean, almost self lubricating, Plastics do that kind of thing although some lubrication will make things easier.
The issue that I have is that the slider (often one that is seldom used) being metal, corrodes to the point where it is frozen onto the zipper's plastic teeth or their mounting fabric. I have in the past used various acids (always neutralized soon after) to free the slider and make the zipper work again. Sometimes it's too late and the zipper's slider is lost.
The question I have is how does one lubricate the working channels of the slider as to protect it from corrosion?
It seems to me that some kind of stick or lip balm just might not be the best thing, regardless of how it smells.