Ivan DeBlois Combe, Inventor, 88

["Deathwatch Central" <cdw@slick.org>]

GREENWICH, Conn. (AP) - Ivan DeBlois Combe, the inventor of Clearasil, the
acne cream that helped millions of pimply-faced baby boomers get through the
awkward teen-age years, died Tuesday after a stroke. He was 88.

He named the product ``Clearasil'' to capitalize on every teen-ager's dream
of having clear skin.

Combe peddled the new product to drug stores across the country, but store
owners were reluctant to buy another acne product when so many others had
failed. Finally, Combe gave out free tubes of Clearasil to store owners in
exchange for a promise to order more if the product sold. It did.

Sales skyrocketed after Combe began advertising Clearasil on the popular
teen-age dance show ``American Bandstand'' in 1957.

In 1960, Vick Chemical bought the Clearasil business from Combe's company,
Combe Inc. Procter & Gamble bought Clearasil in 1985.

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