Neutrogena responds to backlash over Hayden Panettiere contract claims

Neutrogena has responded to criticism following Hayden Panettiere’s death and renewed attention on her claims that the company cancelled her contract after she spoke publicly about postpartum depression.

Panettiere, who was the face of Neutrogena for about 10 years, died on Sunday at the age of 36.

Following her death, comments from the Heroes and Nashville actress resurfaced, including claims about her relationship with the skincare company.

In her 2026 memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, Panettiere said Neutrogena ended its longstanding partnership with her after she discussed receiving treatment for postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter, Kaya, in 2014.

"Neutrogena canceled my long-standing contract, and it was yet another blow in a year that had given almost nothing else," she wrote.

In a May podcast appearance with Jay Shetty, Panettiere said, "Neutrogena was a huge part of my life," she recalled. "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."

Neutrogena addressed Panettiere’s death in a statement posted to its social media accounts on Thursday.

"We are deeply saddened by Hayden Panettiere's passing," the company said. "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.

The company also said it would make a "significant investment to a long-standing community health partner" supporting women’s health causes, with further details to be announced when plans are in place.

Neutrogena said it had delayed commenting "out of respect for Hayden's family and loved ones" following her death and extended its "deepest condolences" to her family.