Abstract: A method for the controlled release of an active principle contained in a multiple water-in-oil-in-water emulsion characterized in that the multiple emulsion comprises an invert emulsion Ei with an aqueous phase A1 containing at least a hydrophilic active principle. The emulsion Ei is dispersed in the form of direct emulsion droplets Ed, in a continuous aqueous phase A2, with the two emulsions Ed and Ei stabilized by at least a surfactant, present in their respective continuous phases. The multiple emulsion is brought in the presence of an effective amount of an agent for transforming it into a direct emulsion and induce the release of the active principle, contained in the aqueous phase A1 of emulsion Ei, in the aqueous phase A2.