Abstract: Studies on encapsulation, release and stability of lipophilic functional component have been paid much attention.Multilayer emulsions, which are formed through polyelectrolytes' being deposited onto the surfaces of charged oil droplets using layer-by-layer self-assembly technology, increase the storage stability and digestibility of lipophilic functional component. In this paper, the layer-by-layer self-assembly technology and kinds of polyelectrolyte required for preparation of multilayer emulsion were introduced, the applications and structural characterization of multilayer emulsions in lipophilic functional component were illustrated. In addition, problems and future development trends related with multilayer emulsions were summarized.