For months, there have been increasing calls for skincare brand Neutrogena to address an accusation made by Hayden Panettiere in May, which gained more attention following the actor’s recent passing. Neutrogena has now taken to Instagram to respond to the situation. In their post, which has comments disabled, the company acknowledged that they did not elaborate on the reasons behind their discontinued partnership with Panettiere or directly address the allegation that it was linked to her discussion of postpartum depression. Neutrogena expressed regret for making Panettiere feel unsupported during a challenging period and stated that such behavior does not align with their values.
Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in various TV shows and movies, served as a global brand ambassador for Neutrogena from 2005 to 2015. Following her public revelation about battling postpartum depression in 2015, her association with Neutrogena came to an end. Panettiere claimed during a podcast interview in May that Neutrogena had attempted to terminate her contract due to the comments she made about postpartum depression. Despite legal interventions to prevent this, she anticipated not being invited back to represent Neutrogena in the future.
In the aftermath of these events, fans initiated a boycott against Neutrogena, with one beauty influencer incorporating Panettiere’s podcast statements into a video titled “Neutrogena hates women!” The recent news of Panettiere’s death has reignited public outrage, prompting supporters to demand accountability from Neutrogena across social media platforms, including Instagram and Threads.
In response to the situation, Neutrogena expressed deep sadness over Hayden Panettiere’s passing and praised her as a valued member of their community. The brand refrained from immediate responses following the actor’s death out of respect for her family. Neutrogena commended Panettiere’s bravery in speaking out and indicated a commitment to raising awareness and supporting women in need, particularly those dealing with postpartum depression. The company announced plans for a substantial investment in a community health partner to enhance access to necessary support services for women, with further details to follow once initiatives are implemented.