The invention concerns cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical preparations which contain: a) 0.1 to 10 wt.% polyolpoly-12-hydroxystearates; and b) 5 to 20 wt.% lower alkanols. In spite of their high alcohol content, the emulsions are stable during storage, even at high temperatures, for several months whilst simultaneously being adequately protected against germination in the absence of preservatives.
