Nanoemulsions comprising an aqueous phase and a lipid phase, having a micelle size in the range from about 20 to about 900 nm and comprising melatonin as an active agent, are provided. The aqueous phase of such a nanoemulsion comprises a base, the lipid phase comprises one or more polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters, and the aqueous phase or the lipid phase, or both, further comprise ascorbyl palmitate. In addition, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics or foodstuffs comprising the nanoemulsions described herein and methods for making nanoemulsions described herein are also provided.
