Neutrogena apologizes to Hayden Panettiere after criticism over postpartum depression dispute
Neutrogena said it made actress Hayden Panettiere feel unsupported after she discussed postpartum depression and announced a new investment to aid women's mental-health services.
Neutrogena issued an apology on Instagram on Thursday, acknowledging that the skincare brand had made Hayden Panettiere feel unsupported during a difficult period. The company said the actress had been a valued member of its community for more than a decade and that the situation did not reflect its values.
The statement added that Neutrogena would make a significant investment with a long-standing community health partner to expand access to support for women, including care for postpartum depression, and that further details would be shared when plans are finalized.
Panettiere, who died at age 36 in South Carolina, had previously said in her memoir and in a podcast interview that Neutrogena ended its partnership with her after she spoke publicly about her experience with postpartum depression. She described the termination as unexpected and illegal, according to her representative at the time.
The brand said it had initially refrained from commenting on her death out of respect for her family. Authorities are investigating the circumstances of her death.