Neutrogena is facing renewed criticism after social media users questioned whether the skincare brand has followed through on its promise to invest in support for women experiencing postpartum depression. The backlash follows the company's August statement, issued after renewed scrutiny of its relationship with the late actor Hayden Panettiere.
The beauty brand pledged a 'significant investment' in a community health partner but did not disclose the amount or provide a timeline. As of Friday, 23 October, no further public details about the commitment could be located in the coverage reviewed.
The issue has resurfaced on Reddit, where a post noted that two months had passed since Neutrogena announced its planned investment. The post questioned the absence of an update, prompting further criticism from users.
2 months ago, Neutrogena responded to backlash for firing Hayden Panettiere after she discussed her postpartum depression by announcing, in a post with the comments turned off, a future investment to a long-standing community health partner with more info to come. Still haven’t heard anything…
by u/Relevant-Peach3997 in Fauxmoi
Neutrogena's Promise Followed Criticism
Neutrogena's pledge came after Panettiere's comments about her decade-long relationship with the brand returned to public attention following her death on 16 August, aged 36. In a May appearance on Jay Shetty's On Purpose podcast, the actor said she believed the company had tried to end her endorsement deal after she spoke publicly about experiencing postpartum depression in 2015.
Panettiere had been associated with Neutrogena for about a decade, appearing in the skincare company's campaigns. She said she was hurt that the relationship deteriorated after she discussed her mental health struggles and that people at the company did not contact her to offer support. According to her account, her contract was not renewed when it expired the following year. Neutrogena has not publicly confirmed all details of her contract allegation.
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In a statement shared on Instagram on 20 August, Neutrogena said it was deeply saddened by Panettiere's passing and acknowledged that it had made her feel unsupported during a difficult period. The company described her as a valued member of its community and said her willingness to discuss her challenges had helped encourage important conversations.
The statement also announced plans to make a 'significant investment' in a long-standing women's community health partner, aiming to expand access to support, including care for postpartum depression. Neutrogena said it would provide more information once its plans were in place.
Questions Remain Over the Funding Commitment
According to reports published in August, communications specialists criticised the company's response as vague, arguing that its acknowledgement of Panettiere's experience did not fully explain what it believed had gone wrong. The report also noted that comments on Neutrogena's statement had been disabled.
Those concerns have taken on a new dimension as users ask whether the proposed investment has progressed beyond a public pledge. Naming the recipient organisation, publishing a funding figure and outlining how the money will support postpartum mental health services would give the public a clearer way to assess the commitment.
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Postpartum depression is a serious mental health condition that can affect people after childbirth. Panettiere spoke about her experience publicly in 2015, saying women should know they are not alone and that the condition needed to be discussed more openly. Her account has since become central to criticism of the way the brand handled its relationship with her.
The renewed Reddit discussion focuses on what happens after companies make commitments in response to public criticism. Neutrogena's statement promised support for women dealing with postpartum depression, but the lack of publicly available details has left questions about the scale, timing and delivery of that support unanswered.
