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.