A process for the preparation of smooth oil and water emulsions of excellent texture and appearance comprising adding together emulsion-forming ingredients consisting essentially of oil, water, and surfactant; selecting as said surfactant a polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid having a fatty acid composition which is primarily palmitic and stearic acids, said ester having an average degree of polymerization in the range of about 2 to about 6, a hydroxyl number in the range of about 280-425, and a saponification number in the range of about 120-140; and intensively mixing said ingredients together at an elevated temperature; said mixing being carried out at a pH greater than about 7.0.