Neutrogena Faces Backlash and Boycott After Treatment of Hayden Panettiere
Neutrogena is currently facing a boycott and backlash on social media following the resurfacing of a story from Hayden Panettiere after her recent passing at the age of 36. The actress, known for her role in Heroes, revealed in her 2026 memoir that Neutrogena terminated her contract after she publicly discussed her postpartum depression diagnosis in 2015. This revelation led to criticism of the skincare brand, with many calling for a boycott in support of Panettiere.
The online backlash against Neutrogena has intensified since Panettiere's death, with Reddit posts garnering thousands of upvotes and likes urging consumers to boycott the company. Social media users have expressed their outrage over Neutrogena's treatment of Panettiere, with some accusing the brand of mistreating women. The brand's official social media accounts have been flooded with negative comments, and even celebrities like Carole Radziwill have joined the chorus of criticism.
The calls for a boycott have had a financial impact on Neutrogena's parent company, Kenvue Inc., whose stock prices reportedly dropped over two percent following the backlash. While the stock prices have shown signs of recovery, the brand's reputation has been tarnished by the controversy. Neutrogena has yet to respond to the criticism or address Panettiere's passing, leaving many consumers disillusioned with the brand.
In her podcast interview with Jay Shetty, Panettiere expressed her surprise and disappointment at being let go by Neutrogena due to her comments about postpartum depression. She emphasized that she was simply being honest about her experience and never anticipated facing repercussions for speaking out. Despite her long-standing relationship with the brand, Panettiere felt abandoned and heartbroken by Neutrogena's decision to sever ties with her. The actress's story has resonated with many who are now calling for accountability from the skincare company.
In conclusion, Neutrogena's handling of Hayden Panettiere's disclosure of her postpartum depression diagnosis has sparked outrage and calls for a boycott on social media. The brand's reputation has taken a hit, leading to a drop in stock prices for its parent company. As consumers express their support for Panettiere and demand transparency from Neutrogena, the skincare brand faces a challenging road ahead in rebuilding trust with its audience.