Neutrogena's Postpartum Support Fails Actress

Neutrogena has expressed deep sadness following the passing of Hayden Panettiere, a valued community member and former brand ambassador. The skincare company acknowledged that they made the actress feel unsupported during a challenging period, stating this is contrary to their values.

Panettiere, known for her roles in "Heroes" and "Nashville," died at age 36 on August 16, 2026, in Greenville, South Carolina. Her previous statements, made during an appearance on the "On Purpose With Jay Shetty" podcast in May 2026, resurfaced after her death. In these comments, she claimed Neutrogena terminated her contract for violating a "morality clause" by discussing her postpartum depression.

She recounted that her representative advised that firing her for speaking about postpartum depression was illegal. Panettiere had bravely shared her struggles after the birth of her daughter, Kaya, in her 2026 memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning." She described a period of lost optimism and feelings of inadequacy.

Authorities in Greenville reported Panettiere was found unresponsive with no signs of foul play, noting her history of addiction and mental health challenges. Neutrogena has committed to a significant investment with a long-standing community health partner to improve access to support for women, including postpartum depression care.