Combe Incorporated, based in
White Plains, New York, is an American personal-care company founded in 1949 by
Ivan Combe. Combe products are sold in 64 countries on six continents.
Ivan Combe primarily promoted the brand names instead of the company name. Combe owns the brands
Just for Men, Sea-Bond,
Vagisil, and
Grecian Formula.
Combe was the originator of the
Clearasil brand in 1950, but sold the rights to it in 1961 to
Richardson-Merrell.
In October 2002, Combe acquired J.B. Williams, thereby adding such longtime names as
Brylcreem,
Aqua Velva and
Cepacol to its brand stable.
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.
In September 2019, rumours spread about Combe endorsing
Joe Biden
Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. (born November 20, 1942) is an American politician who was the 46th president of the United States from 2021 to 2025. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice p ...
for presidency, which came from the company's strategic marketing head of US and Canada. This rumour was false.
In December 2020, Combe invested in Virtue Labs, a biotech hair care brand, formulated with a patented bioidentical keratin protein.
In May 2023, Combe acquired the brand Astroglide and company BioFilm from the Wray Family.
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.
* 1987:
Just for Men is introduced.
* 2000: Ivan Combe dies.
[Ravo, Nick]
"Ivan D. Combe, 88, Marketer Of Clearasil and Just for Men"
''The New York Times'', January 17, 2000
* 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.
* 2019: Combe is rumoured to have endorsed
Joe Biden
Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. (born November 20, 1942) is an American politician who was the 46th president of the United States from 2021 to 2025. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice p ...
for presidency, which was a false claim.
* 2020: Investment in Virtue Labs.
* 2023: Biofilm is acquired, along with their product Astroglide.
References
External links
Company web site
American companies established in 1949
Pharmaceutical companies established in 1949
Personal care companies of the United States
Pharmaceutical companies of the United States
Companies based in White Plains, New York
Health care companies based in New York (state)
Privately held companies based in New York (state)
1949 establishments in New York (state)
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