Neutrogena admits failing to support late actress Hayden Panettiere

Neutrogena has publicly acknowledged that it did not adequately support its former brand ambassador Hayden Panettiere during her battle with postpartum depression.

The statement from the skincare brand comes amid growing public criticism following the sudden death of the 36-year-old actress, best known for her television roles in Heroes and Nashville. 

Authorities in Greenville, South Carolina, reported that she was found unresponsive in cardiac arrest at her home on Sunday, noting that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her passing.

Podcast interview fueled public outrage

The backlash against Neutrogena intensified after fans resurfaced comments Panettiere made during a podcast appearance in May. During the interview, she disclosed that the skincare company had ended her lucrative endorsement contract by invoking a morality clause simply because she spoke publicly about her postpartum depression. 

She expressed disbelief over the dismissal, explaining that her comments about her mental health were unplanned and honest reflections, and she had never anticipated a negative reaction from her corporate sponsors. 

Brand pledges support for maternal mental health

In its recent public address, Neutrogena expressed deep sorrow over the actress's death and admitted that its past actions made her feel abandoned during a highly vulnerable time. 

The company stated that penalizing someone for mental health struggles does not reflect its current corporate values. Acknowledging that Panettiere's openness helped spark important conversations, Neutrogena announced a significant financial commitment to a long-standing health partner. The investment aims to improve women's access to postpartum depression care and support services. 

Actress documented her struggles in recent memoir

Panettiere had been increasingly open about her mental health in recent years, detailing her severe postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter in her newly released 2026 memoir. 

She described experiencing a profound loss of optimism and feeling entirely overwhelmed, inadequate, and desperate when trying to care for her infant. Police confirmed that the actress, who had previously been transparent about her ongoing struggles with addiction and mental health, suffered a fatal cardiac arrest.

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