L'histoire de Najel | tradition, savoir-faire et cosmétique bio

Najel embodies the excellence of ancestral know-how in the artisanal manufacture of Aleppo soaps and Mediterranean cosmetics . For over a century, the Al Najjar family has passionately and devotedly perpetuated a know-how that has spanned generations, from the alleys of Aleppo to the hills of the Lyon region. Today, Najel is internationally recognized for its organic products, carefully manufactured, respecting traditions and nature. Each Najel product is an invitation to discover the riches of the Mediterranean, a bridge between East and West.

Najel was born from a meeting

A helping hand from fate

The story of Najel begins in 1895, in the historic city of Aleppo, where the Al Najjar family began their activity as master soap makers. This craft, inherited from ancestors, is passed down like a precious treasure from generation to generation. Each Aleppo soap made in the family soap factory is the fruit of artisanal know-how, mixing olive oil and laurel berry oil to create a natural product with unrivaled virtues. This know-how remains unchanged over the decades, with each generation contributing its stone to the building without ever altering the very essence of tradition. In 1996, the story took a new turn.

Catherine Élia-Najjar discovered Aleppo soap during a trip to Syria with her husband, Manar Najjar, a young doctor at the time. Amazed by the qualities of this traditional soap, the couple decided to introduce it to France, thus marking the beginning of the Najel adventure. The first container of Aleppo soaps arrived in France at the end of 1996, and the magic happened immediately. Najel quickly became synonymous with quality and authenticity, offering French consumers a sensory journey to the sunny lands of the Mediterranean.

True to its heritage

Najel keeps growing

Najel has never stopped growing, while remaining true to its roots. From the beginning, the brand has stood out for the exceptional quality of its products, made using traditional Aleppo methods. Catherine and Manar Najjar, driven by a passion for passing on this know-how, developed a distribution strategy that allowed Najel to make a name for itself in France and in nearly 30 countries.

In 2000, the company was structured under the name NAJJAR, a major turning point that marked the beginning of a dazzling expansion. To meet the growing demand, a second warehouse was opened in 2005. In 2008, Najel obtained its first organic and ecological certification by Ecocert Greenlife, a guarantee of quality and commitment to authentic and health-friendly products.

Modernization continued in 2014 with the creation of the Najjar Laboratory in Lyon, where "Made in France" cosmetics are developed with the same care and high standards as Aleppo soaps. This expansion demonstrates an unwavering desire to preserve traditions while innovating to meet contemporary needs.

Towards new challenges

A brand committed to the future

Today, Najel is a true odyssey through the senses, a link between oriental roots and French know-how. The brand's products, distributed in specialty stores, pharmacies, and now online, continue to appeal to an ever-wider audience.

In 2018, new premises were built in Civrieux, and in 2019, SAS Najjar moved in, strengthening production capacity while maintaining an artisanal approach. In February 2020, the company officially became Laboratoire Najjar, consolidating its position in the natural cosmetics market.

But Najel's story doesn't end there. The succession is now assured with the arrival of Nina, the daughter of Manar and Catherine. Growing up in the heart of the family universe, Nina brings a new dynamic, while respecting the legacy passed down by her parents.

Today, each Najel product tells a story, that of a family united by passion, a journey between continents, and a deep commitment to quality and authenticity. The story of Najel is in perpetual motion, an endless journey through eras and cultures, always guided by the same passion for excellence.