This invention relates to a method for forming hollow silica-based particles suitable for containing one or more active ingredients or for containing other smaller particles which may include one or more active ingredients. The method comprises preparing an emulsion including a continuous phase that is polar or non-polar and a dispersed phase comprising droplets including (i) a polar active ingredient when the continuous phase is non-polar or (ii) a non-polar active ingredient when the continuous phase is polar; and adding a silica precursor to the emulsion such that the silica precursor can be emulsion templated on the droplets to form hollow silica-based particles. The silica precursor has the general formula (I): R1x—Si—(OR2)y, wherein R1 is selected from substituted and unsubstituted alkyl, substituted and unsubstituted aryl, alcohols, amines, amides, aldehydes, acids, esters, and functional groups having an unsaturated carbon-carbon bond, R2 is an alkyl group, x+y=4, and y=1, 2 or 3. The —OR2 group is a hydrolyzable organic group that exhibits an ability to form a silicon-oxygen bond chain as a result of hydrolysis and condensation.