Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) based on natural seed butter Theobroma grandiflorum were prepared for the topical release of resveratrol. Nanoparticles presented small particle size and the surface charge, size and polydispersity index. The controlled release kinetics revealed a burst release followed by a sustained drug release from SLNs containing resveratrol (R-SLN). R-SLN showed an increased antioxidant activity in 20% and increased permeation and retention of resveratrol in the human skin, raising the amount of resveratrol over than 2-fold in stratum corneum (SC) compared to RES.