Neutrogena accepts it made Hayden Panettiere "feel unsupported"

Global skincare brand Neutrogena has finally apologised to Hayden Panettiere days after her sad passing; but for many, a decade too late.

In 2015, after 10 years as a brand ambassador, the actor's contract ended when she says she breached a ‘morality clause’ by publicly discussing her postpartum depression.

Neutrogena's apology comes as a viral movement began to boycott its products in the aftermath of Panettiere's death.

In a statement posted to its Instagram page, the company said yesterday:

"We are deeply saddened by Hayden Panettiere's passing. 

"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.”

The statement continued, “This is not what Neutrogena stands for or who we want to be.

“Hayden’s courage in sharing her challenges helped inspire important conversations and awareness.

"We are making a significant investment to a longstanding community health partner to help give more women access to the support they need, including care for post-partum depression.”

Neutrogena's statement concluded, “Out of respect for Hayden’s family and loved ones, we did not want to speak out so soon following her passing,” the statement concluded. 

“Everyone at Neutrogena extends their deepest condolences to Hayden’s family and all who loved her.”

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Neutrogena (@neutrogena)

How Hayden Panettiere's contract with Neutrogena ended

Almost immediately after the 36-year-old's death was announced on August 16, her fans recalled a significant incident with global skincare brand, Neutrogena, whom Panettiere worked with for a decade until 2015.

They are now calling on everyone to boycott the company, vowing to never purchase their products again.

In 2015, Panettiere shared her experience with postpartum depression after the birth of her daughter, Kaya, on Live With Kelly and Michael.

In the 2015 interview she revealed that postpartum depression was “completely uncontrollable and really painful."

She added, "It's really scary, and women need a lot of support."

Soon after, her contract was cancelled by Neutrogena - and the real reason why is something the actor had just spoken about.

Panettiere wrote in her 2026 memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning:

“Neutrogena canceled my long-standing contract and it was yet another blow in a year that had given almost nothing else.”

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Jay Shetty (@jayshetty)

Speaking with podcaster Jay Shetty about her book, Panettiere gave further details:

"Neutrogena and I were together for 10 years.

"They had morality clauses that had a huge impact on my life, because I was a teenager and I had all the paparazzi around me capturing these gory moments.

“Every moment - every cigarette I smoked, every bad outfit, or [comments like], 'She’s looking chunky in a bathing suit', or, 'She has a fat vagina'.”

The actor added, "This is the last thing I thought they would ever fire me over.

"When I went on Live with Kelly and Michael, I had no intention or plan to talk about postpartum depression. It just came up and I was just being honest,” she said.

"Never for a second did I think that anyone would have a bad reaction to it - it was my truth.”

If you or someone you know needs help, Lifeline is there.

Call: 13 11 14 Text: 0477 13 11 14

Chat Online 24/7: https://www.lifeline.org.au/chat