Combe Incorporated
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Cosmetics |
| Founded | 1949 New York, U.S. |
| Founder | Ivan Combe |
| Headquarters | White Plains, New York , U.S. |
Area served | 64 countries and territories |
| Products | Haircare |
| Owner | Combe family |
| Website | combe |
Combe Incorporated is an American personal care company founded in 1949 by Ivan Combe. Based in White Plains, New York, its products are sold in 64 countries on six continents. Combe primarily promoted his brand names over the company name. It owns numerous brands, including Just for Men, Sea-Bond, Vagisil, and Grecian Formula.[1]
Combe was the originator of the Clearasil brand in 1950, but sold the rights to it in 1961 to Richardson-Merrell.[2]
In October 2002, Combe acquired J.B. Williams, thereby adding such longtime names as Brylcreem, Aqua Velva and Cepacol to its brand stable.[3]
In January 2011, Combe sold its cough remedy and skin care business to Reckitt Benckiser, and its foot care business (including Odor-Eaters) to Blistex.[4][5]
In 2018, the Environmental Defense Fund and other consumer groups filed a complaint with the Food and Drug Administration to force Combe to remove highly toxic lead acetate from Grecian Formula and other hair dyes.[6] As of July 2018, lead acetate has been replaced with bismuth citrate.
In December 2020, Combe invested in Virtue Labs, a biotech hair care brand, formulated with a patented bioidentical keratin protein.[7]
In May 2023, Combe acquired the brand Astroglide and company BioFilm from the Wray Family.[8]
Key dates
- 1949: Ivan Combe founds a company.
- 1951: Combe introduces Clearasil.
- 1952: The company's offices move from Manhattan to White Plains, New York.
- 1961: Clearasil is sold to Richardson-Merrell.
- 1974: Combe's first manufacturing plant opens in Illinois.
- 1974: Combe launches Vagisil.[1]
- 1987: Just for Men is introduced.
- 2000: Ivan Combe dies.[9]
- 2002: J.B. Williams is acquired.
- 2011: Sale of cold remedy/skin care business to Reckitt Benckiser, and sale of foot care business to Blistex.
- 2018: Combe is forced to remove toxic lead acetate from Grecian formula and other hair dyes.
- 2020: Investment in Virtue Labs.
- 2023: Biofilm is acquired, along with their product Astroglide.
References
- ^ a b "History of Combe Inc". FundingUniverse. 2014. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
- ^ Clearasil : For Clear Skin, brandslex.de
- ^ Combe Inc. To Acquire J.B. Williams Company, Inc., happi.com, September 30, 2002
- ^ Reckitt Benckiser grows in US with Combe brands, OTC Bulletin, January 21, 2011, p. 1
- ^ Blistex Acquires U.S. and Global ODOR-EATERS Brand, prnewswire.com, January 3, 2011: "Blistex Inc. today announced that it has completed the acquisition of the ODOR-EATERS® line of foot care products from Combe Incorporated."
- ^ "Coalition in Push for FDA Repeal of Color Additive Regulation for Lead Acetate" (PDF). Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel. Pro Bono News. 2021. p. 8. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
Winter 2021/2022
- ^ "Combe Inc. Announces Majority Investment in Prestige Hair Care Brand Virtue Labs". businesswire.com. 2020-12-01. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
- ^ Inc, Combe (May 25, 2023). "Creator of Iconic Personal Care Brands COMBE Inc. to Acquire ASTROGLIDE®, Fastest Growing Personal Lubricant Brand in the U.S." PR Newswire. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ Ravo, Nick, "Ivan D. Combe, 88, Marketer Of Clearasil and Just for Men", The New York Times, January 17, 2000