A nanoemulsion, the oily globules of which have a number-average size of less than 100 nm, comprising a surfactant which is solid at a temperature of less than or equal to 45° C., which surfactant is chosen from esters of a fatty acid and of a sugar and ethers of a fatty alcohol and of a sugar, and at least one oil having a molecular weight of greater than 400, the ratio by weight of the amount of oily phase to the amount of surfactant ranging from 2 to 10. The nanoemulsion may be used for cosmetics and dermatological applications, in particular for moisturizing the skin and/or mucous membranes, as well as for treating the hair, and in the ophthalmological field, as an eye lotion for treating the eyes.