Cate Blanchett is the New Face of SK-II

Cate Blanchett is the new global ambassador for SK-II's line. While Cate is ubiquitous these days, including her new movie Elizabeth: The Golden Age, little is known about this amazing Japanese skincare line that is now available in the United States.

How did SK-II come into existence? The SK-II website explains that when a Japanese scientist was touring a sake factory on day, he noticed that the hands of an old, wrinkled man were as wrinkle-free and supple as that of a child's. In a series of experiments conducted over five years, it was discovered that an extract of the fermenting process had this youthifying effect. What was this extract? Pitera.

Here's what the SK-II USA website had to say about Pitera:

"A singular blend of vitamins, amino acids, proteins and organic acids work together to produce a seemingly miraculous rebirth of the skin through stimulation and renewal of the outer layer, allowing the skin's natural rejuvenation process to function at its prime."

If you a hard-core skincare line fan, this probably brings to mind Crème de la Mer. What the La Mer line is to seaweed and algae, SK-II is to fermenting yeast in sake.

So what can Pitera and SK-II do for you?

SK-II has a comprehensive line of products to get your skin youthful and glowing. Cate Blanchett has used SK-II for years prior to becoming a spokesperson, and considering she has the complexion of a porcelain doll, you can't argue that SK-II is effective.

Cleansing: SK-II has a cleanser for whatever your skin type is and whatever is your preferred cleanser delivery method. The line contains a cleansing cream (SK-II Facial Treatment Cleanser), a gel (SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Gel) which can be either tissued or rinsed off (good for when you are on the go or a mid-day freshening), a cleansing oil (Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil) which is great for both getting off makeup and cleansing, and the SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion as a last step in the cleansing process (whichever cleanser you choose) to remove impurities and dead cells - leaving your skin more radiant simply after cleansing.

Enhancing: SK-II has a broad range of products for whatever your complexion goal is:

a) Brightening: The SK-II Skin Refining Treatment works by lifting dead cells away. Good if you are generally happy with your complexion but want to look fresher and brighter.

b) Woke up and you feel (and look) kinda blah? Try the SK-II Facial Treatment Massage Cream - it will improve your circulation and wake up your complexion - even if you aren't completely awake yet.

c) The SK-II Whitening Source Intensive Mask works to get rid of age spots while promoting a glow to your skin.

d) SK-II Whitening Source Derm Definition is an intense serum to hydrate and even out skin tone.

e) If you are looking for a light lotion, try SK-II Whitening Source Clear Lotion. It will be sure to wake you up with Peppermint extract!

f) The Whitening Source Skin Brightener is a heavier cream that works much like the Whitening Source Clean Lotion, but with more intense hydration.

Nourishing:

a) SK-II Facial Treatment Repair C is an elasticity-improving serum.

b) SK-II Advanced Eye Treatment Film is an eye gel which forms a film on the eye area in order to protect it while firming the area at the same time.

c) The SK-II Facial Treatment Mask (an actual mask with eye and mouth openings) is infused with Pitera. Soak it in hot water and drive the Pitera deep into your skin!

Anti-Aging:

a) SK-II Facial Lift Emulsion is the line's standard anti-aging light moisturizer.

b) SK-II Signs Eye Cream is a lightweight eye cream that addresses skin slacking, wrinkling, and skin darkening - a triple threat!

c) SK-II De-Wrinkle Essence is a cream for targeting existing wrinkles such as crow's feet. It contains Retinol in addition to Pitera.

d) SK-II Signs Eye Mask contains Pitera, vitamins, and peptides. Use it for 14 days and get youthful looking eyes.

e) SK-II Signs Nourishing Cream is a heavy cream to hydrate and de-age your skin.

UV Protectors:

a) SK-II Advanced Protect Essence UV is an oil free SPF 15 sunscreen and contains Pitera, like the rest of the line

b) SK-II Hydrating UV Cream does double-duty as a heavier moisturizer and a SPF 15 sunscreen

You can't use a great skin care line like SK-II and not use sunscreen!

Finishing/Enhancing (aka makeup):

a) SK-II's Air Touch Foundation looks cool in it's red spherical casing and gives you an airbrushed finish in no time flat. Best of all - it's translucent - so your skin still looks natural and the glow you've gotten from the other products shows through.

b) SK-II Skin Treatment Foundation provided both coverage and lifting and firming action - good if you want to cut down on the number of products you use in the morning.

Finally, if you really want to treat your skin, try the SK-II Ultimate Renewal Cream. A treat for skin and nose, it contains the aroma of freshly picked distilled rose petals. This is a highly concentrated cream containing humectants to smooth your skin and relax you.

SK-II is a wonderful luxury skin line now available in the United States. Find it at Bloomingdale's and Sak's Fifth Avenue.