Cate Blanchett relates about her skin and makeup

Cate Blanchett is used to layers of thick makeup, for example her star turn in the "Elizabeth" movies, or a wig and leather jacket for her portrayal of a young Bob Dylan in the upcoming "I'm Not There."

Photo: Cate Blanchett relates about her skin and makeup

Cate Blanchett relates about her skin and makeup

But it's still surprising to picture her serving breakfast at home wearing an actual mask. Donning a white cotton, full-face moisturizing cover akin to a soft hockey mask is part of her skin care ritual, says Blanchett, who has been hired as the U.S. face of SK-II, a high-end skin care line from Procter & Gamble Co.

Her two kids are not always impressed. "They see it and just roll their eyes," said the Oscar-winning actress, speaking from Rome. "They'll wake up in the morning, and I'm making their sandwiches for school and I've got the mask on."

Blanchett joins a long list of celebrities endorsing personal-care products, but she says she's used SK-II for seven years to keep her skin in its famously good shape.

SK-II, whose products retail for between $60 (42 EUR) and $300 (210 EUR), is available in a dozen countries, mainly in Asia. The products are also available in a few U.S. department stores, and P&G is preparing to roll it out more widely. Blanchett previously represented the brand in Australia.

Because her roles have frequently demanded heavy makeup application (two-and-half-hours worth daily for "Elizabeth"), her skin requires extra attention, Blanchett says.

She says she even handed out the white mask to Brad Pitt, her co-star in next year's "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," after they both endured prosthetic makeup.

"I'm evangelical about it," Blanchett says.