The present invention concerns a process for the preparation of microcapsules having a core-shell structure, wherein said microcapsules have a diameter of approximately 0.1 to 100 micron, wherein each core includes at least one active ingredient, said core is encapsulated within a microcapsular shell, and wherein said shell is comprised of at least one inorganic polymer obtained by a sol-gel process, and said microcapsular shell protects the active ingredient prior to topical application and releases said active ingredient after topical application, said process comprises the steps of； (a) preparing a hydrophobic solution or a hydrophobic dispersion comprising sol-gel precursors and an ingredient to be encapsulated； (b) emulsifying the hydrophobic solution or dispersion of step (a) in an aqueous solution under high shear forces to obtain an emulsion； (c) mixing and stirring the emulsion obtained, with a second aqueous solution, at a selected pH to obtain the sol-gel microcapsules.
