Stable, topically applicable water-in-oil emulsions, well suited for therapeutically treating irritated/sensitive skins and having high electrolyte content, comprise (a) at least 26 by weight of at least one water-soluble metal salt, (b) at least one hydrophobic gelling agent, (c) less than 5% by weight of at least one emulsifying agent, and, advantageously, at least one biologically active agent, for example an active agent that modulates skin differentiation and/or proliferation and/or pigmentation, an anti-inflammatory, an antibacterial, an antifungal, etc., and/or at least one keratolytic active agent, neuropeptide antagonist and/or inflammation-mediator antagonist.