Criticism of the company intensified after comments resurfaced from Panettiere’s 2026 memoir and a podcast appearance, in which she alleged Neutrogena ended its relationship with her in 2015 after she spoke publicly about her postpartum depression.
Neutrogena announced plans to make a “significant investment” in a community health partner to improve access to support services for women, including postpartum depression care.
Panettiere died on August 16 at the age of 36 after she was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina.
The Heroes and Nashville star was pronounced dead at 2.32pm after emergency crews performed advanced cardiac life support for cardiac arrest.
She was discovered at a Greenville Airbnb by Zach Hickerson, the brother of her on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson.
An autopsy found no signs of trauma but the official cause of death remains undetermined pending toxicology results and further medical studies.
However, a leaked 911 dispatch audio referenced a “suspected overdose”, while media reports said Narcan, an opioid overdose-reversal medication, was found at the scene.
Neutrogena has expressed regret and acknowledges its former brand ambassador Hayden Panettiere felt “unsupported during a very difficult time”. Photo / Getty Images
Authorities have not confirmed whether an overdose contributed to her death.
Her death came three months after the publication of her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, in which she spoke candidly about her struggles with addiction, postpartum depression and domestic abuse.
In the days after her death, Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, raised concerns about Brian Hickerson’s presence in her daughter’s life.
Hickerson previously served jail time after a domestic violence case involving the actor. Vogel said the family had been trying to “get rid of” him for some time and described him as a negative influence.
Panettiere is survived by her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with former fiance Wladimir Klitschko.