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 | 100+[1] |
| Products | Personal care Haircare |
| Owner | Combe family |
Number of employees | 500[1] (2020) |
| 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 100 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.[2]
History
Combe was the originator of the Clearasil brand in 1950, then sold the rights to it in 1961 to Richardson-Merrell.[3] In 1952, the company relocated its offices from Manhattan to White Plains, New York.[2][4]
In June 1974, Combe opened its first manufacturing plant in Rantoul, Illinois.[5] The company launched Vagisil the same year.[2] In 1987, Just for Men was introduced.[5]
Founder Ivan Combe died in 2000,[6] and was then succeeded by his son, Chris.[5]
In October 2002, Combe acquired J.B. Williams, adding Brylcreem, Aqua Velva and Cepacol to its brand stable[5][7]
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.[8][9]
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.[10] As of January 2022, lead acetate is banned, with bismuth citrate used as its replacement due to the mandate.[11]
In December 2020, Combe invested in Virtue Labs, a biotech hair care brand, formulated with a patented bioidentical keratin protein.[12]
In May 2023, Combe acquired BioFilm and its Astroglide brand from the family of its creator, rocket scientist Daniel X. Wray.[13][14]
References
- ^ a b "Personal Care Products Council Appoints Keech Combe Shetty as Board Chair". Citybiz.co. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
- ^ a b c "History of Combe Inc". FundingUniverse. 2014. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
- ^ Clearasil : For Clear Skin, brandslex.de
- ^ "Combe Inc. | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ^ a b c d International directory of company histories. Volume 72. Internet Archive. Detroit, Michigan: St. James Press. 2005. pp. 80–81. ISBN 978-1-55862-608-9.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ Ravo, Nick, "Ivan D. Combe, 88, Marketer Of Clearasil and Just for Men", The New York Times, January 17, 2000
- ^ 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
- ^ Erickson, Britt E. (2025-01-21). "US FDA restores ban on lead in hair dyes". Chemical & Engineering News. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ^ "Combe Inc. Announces Majority Investment in Prestige Hair Care Brand Virtue Labs". businesswire.com. 2020-12-01. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
- ^ "A force behind the scenes for years, Dan Wray has a hand in many things Vista". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2005-07-03. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ^ "COMP Mass Market Retailers • June 19, 2023 • Combe Buys BioFilm and Its Astroglide Sexual Health and Wellness Brand". digitaledition.massmarketretailers.comhttps. Retrieved 2026-02-23.