Australian actress Cate Blanchett, who has represented P&G’s high-end skin care brand SK-II in Australia for over three years, is now its global ambassador.

The Elizabeth star, 38, who will wear a pioneering new facemask in ads for the product, says she was keen to promote SK-II because it had helped keep skin in its famously good shape for the past seven years. Her roles have frequently demanded heavy makeup attention–two-and-half-hours worth daily for “Elizabeth”–and her skin requires extra care, according to Cate.

“I’m evangelical about it,” Cate said. She has appeared in the Lord of the Ring trilogy and The Aviator, for which she won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Katharine Hepburn.

“Our desire to work with Ms. Blanchett globally was a natural progression for the brand,” says Shivesh Ram, Vice President and General Manager of Global SK-II. “Since first using the products seven years ago, Cate has joined the millions of women around the world who have experienced SK-II. She has shared her discovery of the ‘Secret Key’ to beautiful skin through her passion for and belief in our products, and the miracle of Pitera(R). We’re delighted to have her expand her role within the SK-II family.”

SK-II, whose products retail for between $60 and $300, is sold in a dozen countries, mainly in Asia, and are also available in a few U.S. department stores.