Oil-in-water emulsions

Abstract

Improved oil-in-water emulsions are provided and a method for their manufacture. In particular, the emulsions comprise a means to control delivery of oil-soluble or water-soluble actives in a core comprising a liquid oil or gel oil continuous phase, which actives can be delivered with improved deposition to surfaces such as, in particular, the skin, gastro-intestinal tract and that defined by the oral cavity. The emulsions are also noted for their improved stability. The stable emulsion comprises a stable droplet dispersed in an aqueous phase, the stable droplet comprising a core, a first inner layer coating the core, and a second outer layer coating the first inner layer, wherein the core comprises at least a liquid oil or gel oil continuous phase, wherein the first inner layer comprises at least one at least partially solid uncharged emulsifier and at least one anionic or cationic or zwitterionic emulsifier, the second outer layer comprises a first polycation or first polyanion or first polyzwitterion of opposing charge to the first inner layer, and wherein the at least partially solid uncharged emulsifier forms a solution in the aqueous phase or the liquid oil phase or the gel oil phase at temperatures greater than room temperature, preferably greater than 40, more preferably greater than 50, even more preferably greater than 60 degrees centigrade. The invention also provides a product selected from the group consisting of a food product, a home care product, a personal care product and a pharmaceutical product, wherein each product comprises emulsion of the invention.