Composition exhibiting enhanced formulation stability and delivery of topical active ingredients

A therapeutic or cosmetic composition for topical application comprising a plurality of microcapsules each having a core-shell structure,

• wherein said core is encapsulated within said shell and includes at least one active ingredient, said core is in the form selected from an emulsion, an oil solution, an aqueous solution and a dispersion,
• the shell consists essentially of at least one metal oxide inorganic polymer obtained by a sol-gel process using a sol-gel precursor, said sol-gel precursor is (i) a monomer, (ii) a partially hydrolyzed and partially condensed polymer of said monomer, or mixtures of (i) and (ii), said monomer is (a) selected from the group consisting of a metal alkoxide monomer, a semi-metal alkoxide monomer, a metal ester monomer, a semi-metal ester monomer, a silazane monomer, and (b) having a formula M(R)n, wherein M is a metallic or a semi metallic element, R is a hydrolyzable substituent, n is an integer from 2 to 6, and
• wherein said composition stabilizes said at least one active ingredient prior to topical application and releases said at least one active ingredient from said microcapsules following topical application.