Process for the preparation of stable complex multiple emulsions of the water-oil water systems

A process for the preparation of stable complex W/O/W emulsion systems comprising:

• a) preparing a primary W/O emulsion at an elevated temperature up to 70.degree. C. from a mineral oil, water, and optionally at least one additional oil component selected from the group consisting of an ester of fatty acid and a fatty alcohol, wherein said water optionally containing a component having one of hydrating and gelling activity, said primary W/O emulsion being prepared in the presence of a non-ionic polymeric lipophilic emulsifier having an HLB value of 6 to 10, which is a methoxypolyethylene glycol (22) dodecyl glycol copolymer, and a non-ionic polymeric stabilizer, having an HLB value of 6 to 10, which is a polyethylene glycol (45)-dodecyl glycol copolymer;
• b) adding water containing a hydrophilic emulsifier having an HLB value of 12 to 25, to said emulsion, slowly and with stirring without generating shear forces at room temperature so that phase inversion occurs, wherein said emulsifier is an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymer with an average molecular weight of 10,000 to 15,000, or methoxy PEG-17/dodecyl glycol copolymer;
• said component having one of hydrating and gelling activity which were added optionally in step (a) being included in the inner aqueous phase of the W/O/W emulsion;
• and
• c) optionally incorporating a component having one of hydrating and gelling activity into said stable complex W/O/W emulsion thus formed, with gentle stirring at room temperature.