About Us
A FRENCHMAN TRAVELS TO ISTANBUL
Our story begins in 1895. Jean Cesar Reboul, a young French pharmacist, was passing through Istanbul on his way to Trabzon, a city in the northeastern part of Turkey, to visit his father, who was working there as an engineer on the construction of the highway from Hopa to Trabzon. Istanbul, with its unique blend of ancient mysticism and modern commerce, immediately captured his imagination. The entrepreneur in him was awakened, and he found the perfect place on Rue de Pera in Beyoglu to open one of Turkey’s first pharmacies, the Grande Pharmacie Parisienne, or the Great Parisian Pharmacy.
KEMAL'S APPRENTICESHIP AT THE GRANDE PHARMACIE PARISIENNE
Already in his first year of studying pharmacy at Istanbul University, Kemal Müderrisoğlu approached Mr. Reboul to inquire about an apprenticeship. Kemal wanted to learn from a master of his craft. Mr. Reboul, however, was uncompromising. In order to be considered for an apprenticeship at the Grande Pharmacie Parisienne, the young man must first learn the French language. Kemal was not discouraged by this. He enrolled in evening classes at the French Consulate and returned to Mr. Reboul the following year, armed with his new language skills and the same determination. “Why are you so insistent on coming to this pharmacy?” asked Mr. Reboul, to which Kemal replied, “I know you are a very special pharmacist, and that’s why I want to learn the trade from you.” His decision paid off. In 1920, Kemal began his apprenticeship with Mr. Reboul.
FROM APPRENTICE TO PARTNER
After successfully graduating as one of the first graduates of the Pharmacy Faculty of Istanbul University in 1923, Kemal was offered a lucrative position in the government. However, he decided instead to continue working alongside his mentor, where he could pursue his passion for research and development in the pharmaceutical field. For the next decade, the two pharmacists worked hand in hand; their shared curiosity and fascination for their profession drove them forward and inspired them to develop innovative, forward-looking products for their customers.
In 1936, Mr. Reboul invited Kemal to become a full partner in the pharmacy. The name of the pharmacy was changed to Kemal and Rebul Pharmacy. In 1938, Kemal changed the name to Rebul Pharmacy to honor his mentor who had given him so much.
THE LEGEND OF LAVENDER / THE BIRTH OF AN ICON
Rebul Pharmacy quickly gained reputation and prestige, and one product played a key role in cementing the pharmacy’s place in the minds and hearts of its customers: REBUL LAVANDA. The story of our iconic Eau de Cologne begins in 1938. Originally made from lavender blossoms grown in Mr. Reboul’s own garden, Rebul Lavanda soon became the preferred fragrance of the gentlemen of Istanbul. It was part of the identity of a cultured man; a tradition passed down from father to son for generations. The use of pure lavender oils also made it an attractive choice for barbers, who used it to pamper their clients and provide them with soothing hair treatments that helped relieve stress. It was also a prestigious gift reserved for special occasions. In 1981, the cologne’s iconic status was sealed with the Gold Medal from the International Quality Control Center for Beauty Products, an award that recognized and validated our tireless commitment to creating fragrances and skincare products of the highest quality.
THE ONLY PHARMACY TO EXIST TODAY: REBUL
In 1939, Mr. Reboul decided to return to France and place his beloved pharmacy in the capable hands of his protégé and business partner, Kemal. Kemal changed the name to Rebul Pharmacy to honor his mentor who had given him so much. Rebul, founded 125 years ago in Beyoglu as Turkey’s first pharmacy, has since continuously developed specialized products and formulations in its own laboratory to meet the health and beauty needs of its millions of customers in Istanbul’s most vibrant district.
OVER A CENTURY OF DEVOTION
We have been creating skin care and fragrance products since 1895. The knowledge we have acquired during this time has been carefully passed down for generations. Our roots as a local pharmacy also create a unique connection with our customers. We have been serving some of the same families for decades. Our long history means a deep loyalty to our customers, born out of generations of concern for their personal needs.
THE PHARMACY TRADITION LIVES ON AT ATELIER REBUL
Rebul, inspired by its 125-year history and reimagined as a former cosmetics workshop, today processes the purity of nature with the precision of an artist. Thanks to its know-how and experience passed down through generations, Rebul combines beauty and health with scientific expertise in its ATELIER REBUL stores. The motto of our founder Jean Cesar Reboul, that “quality and trust are the most important heritage of the Rebul family,” is the essence of all our work today.
EVERY INGREDIENT HAS A PURPOSE
We believe in an essential connection between nature and pharmacology. As a brand specializing in pharmacology, we have extensive knowledge of herbal extracts. We believe that the answer to most health problems can be found in nature. Thanks to our pharmaceutical roots, we know which plant has the best effect for each problem. We use traditional mortar and pestle knowledge and methods, which are an essential part of pharmacy, to create safe and healthy formulations. We develop formulations with a high proportion of natural ingredients and follow the philosophy of 100% trust & 100% transparency.
Since 1895, we have developed more than 1,500,000 recipes. In our collections, we use our traditional knowledge of herbal ingredients and methods that we have perfected over 120 years. These are natural ingredients with proven test results, combined with scientific expertise. For example, in our new collection called Pharmacy, we use live prebiotics and probiotics, which are essential for healthy skin, body and mind. We refine our candles with plant-based ingredients. We develop our cologne compositions with a variety of ingredients (roses from Isparta, mandarins from Bodrum, jasmine from Italy, lavender from Grasse, etc.) that we select from all over the world. Based on our timeless fragrance expertise, we select the best, highest quality and safest ingredients for your skin and soul. We avoid chemicals like parabens, mineral oil, and phthalates in our products and make sure they are safe for the whole family and all skin types to use. Our hair care products contain broccoli extract, which is ideal for protecting hair follicles from pollution and other environmental free radicals. In our products we use ingredients such as green tea extract, which detoxifies the senses, and cercis, an elegant floral fragrance that brightens your mood and brings a sense of joy.
