Combe Incorporated
Encyclopedia
Combe Incorporated, based in White Plains, New York
, is a privately owned personal-care company founded in 1949 by Ivan Combe
. Combe products are sold in 64 countries on six continents. Ivan Combe
primarily promotes 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 but sold the rights to it in 1961.
In October 2002, Combe acquired J.B. Williams, thereby adding such longtime names as Brylcreem
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
.
White Plains, New York
White Plains is a city and the county seat of Westchester County, New York, United States. It is located in south-central Westchester, about east of the Hudson River and northwest of Long Island Sound...
, is a privately owned personal-care company founded in 1949 by Ivan Combe
Ivan Combe
Ivan DeBlois Combe was the inventor of personal-care products, most notably Clearasil and Odor Eaters. In 1949 he established his eponymous company Combe Incorporated in White Plains, New York....
. Combe products are sold in 64 countries on six continents. Ivan Combe
Ivan Combe
Ivan DeBlois Combe was the inventor of personal-care products, most notably Clearasil and Odor Eaters. In 1949 he established his eponymous company Combe Incorporated in White Plains, New York....
primarily promotes the brand names instead of the company name. Combe owns the brands Just for Men
Just for Men
Just for Men is a hair coloring product designed for men and manufactured by Combe Incorporated. Just for Men is designed to color gray hair with a young, natural hair color...
, Sea-Bond, Vagisil, and Grecian Formula
Grecian formula
Grecian Formula is a popular men's hair coloring product in the United States. It is made by Combe Incorporated in White Plains, New York, and is also known as Grecian Formula 16. It is available as a clear liquid, cream and a foam...
.
Combe was the originator of the Clearasil
Clearasil
Clearasil is the top-selling brand of skin care and acne medication, whose products contain chiefly benzoyl peroxide, sulfur & resorcinol, triclosan, or salicylic acid as active ingredients...
brand but sold the rights to it in 1961.
In October 2002, Combe acquired J.B. Williams, thereby adding such longtime names as Brylcreem
Brylcreem
Brylcreem is a brand of hair styling products for men. The first Brylcreem product was a pomade created in 1928 by County Chemicals at the Chemico Works in Bradford Street, Birmingham, England. The pomade is an emulsion of water and mineral oil stabilised with beeswax.Beecham was the longtime...
and Cepacol
Cepacol
Cepacol , styled Cēpacol, is a brand of personal hygiene products and products for relief of sore throat.They were originally recognized for their yellow mouthwash, the active ingredient of which is Ceepryn , hence the name. The distinctive flavor and color is known as "Original Gold"...
to its brand stable.
In January 2011, Combe sold its cough remedy and skin care business to Reckitt Benckiser
Reckitt Benckiser
Reckitt Benckiser plc is a global consumer goods company headquartered in Slough, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest producer of household products and a major producer of consumer healthcare and personal products...
, and its foot care business (including Odor-Eaters) to Blistex
Blistex
Blistex was a small family company in 1947. Its focus was to develop and market lip care products in the United States. It then became a private company based in Oak Brook, Illinois that primarily manufactures lip balm, lip ointment, and other lip-related products...
.
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.
- 1960: Clearasil is sold to Vick Chemical.
- 1974: Combe's first manufacturing plant opens in Illinois.
- 1987: Just For Men is introduced.
- 2000: Ivan Combe dies.
- 2002: J.B. Williams is acquired.
- 2011: Sale of cold remedy/skin care business to Reckitt BenckiserReckitt BenckiserReckitt Benckiser plc is a global consumer goods company headquartered in Slough, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest producer of household products and a major producer of consumer healthcare and personal products...
, and sale of foot care business to BlistexBlistexBlistex was a small family company in 1947. Its focus was to develop and market lip care products in the United States. It then became a private company based in Oak Brook, Illinois that primarily manufactures lip balm, lip ointment, and other lip-related products...
.