Neutrogena has broken its silence about former ambassador Hayden Panettiere’s death following days of backlash against the skincare brand over its treatment of the late actor.
Panettiere was found dead Sunday at age 36, prompting interviews and comments from the Nashville star to resurface, including her remarks earlier this year that Neutrogena “fired” her in 2015 after she spoke about her postpartum depression.
“We are deeply saddened by Hayden Panettiere’s passing,” Neutrogena said in a statement posted to its social media accounts Thursday. “For more than a decade, Hayden was a valued member of our Neutrogena community.”
“We are proud to have partnered with her and understand that we made her feel unsupported during a very difficult time. This is not what Neutrogena stands for or who we want to be,” the statement continued.
Neutrogena vowed to make a “significant investment to a long-standing community health partner” to support women’s health causes and promised to share more details “when plans are in place.”
“Out of respect for Hayden’s family and loved ones, we did not want to speak out so soon following her passing. Everyone at Neutrogena extends their deepest condolences to Hayden’s family and all who loved her.”
The Independent has reached out to Neutrogena for further comment.
Although the comments are turned off on the new post, Neutrogena’s previous posts are flooded with comments criticizing the brand, demanding justice for Panettiere and urging customers to boycott the company.
The Heroes star wrote in her 2026 memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning that the company severed ties with her after she spoke publicly about receiving mental health treatment for postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter, Kaya, in 2014, saying: “Neutrogena canceled my long-standing contract, and it was yet another blow in a year that had given almost nothing else.”
In one of her final podcast appearances in the months before her death, Panettiere told podcaster Jay Shetty in May that she was surprised when her representative told her that her remarks about PPD had broken her contract’s morality clause.
“Neutrogena was a huge part of my life,” Panettiere recalled. “I had the morals clauses, they caught absolutely everything. And of all the things that they would fire me over, this is the last thing that I thought they would ever fire me for.”
“So when I got that call that Neutrogena wanted to fire me over that, my representative at the time said, ‘That’s illegal. You can’t do that,’” Panettiere said. “Even though she saved the day that year, I knew that that was going to be it. I was not going to be invited back the next year.”
Panettiere’s cause of death has not been disclosed.
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI) or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you
Read MoreHayden Panettiere’s mom slammed over ‘unseemly’ comments on daughter’s death
Neutrogena stock tumbles as fans vow to boycott after Hayden Panettiere death
The heartbreaking family struggles that shaped Hayden Panettiere’s life off screen
