With temperatures and sunlight soaring past springtime standards, the follow up post to last week’s sun safety tips couldn’t come at a better time. The Vogue City is positioned as the lifestyle guide to living in the city on a budget; coincidentally, the best method of preventing sun damage is also the cheapest. Sunscreen – gobs of it – is absolutely essential as part of the battle against UVA and UVB rays, the precursors responsible for sun damage, sunburns, wrinkles and skin cancer. (UVA is what leaves that leathery, splotched skin that sunbathing beauties of yesteryear are known for; UVB goes deeper and causes cellular mutation, which can lead to skin cancer.)

When we say “gobs,” we mean using far more than a precarious dab of Le Mer: experts say that an adult should apply a golfball-sized amount to face and body every 2 hours while outdoors, and more frequently after swimming and toweling off (even if you’re using a waterproof formula). Keep this in mind when galavanting about the Soho House in your finest Shoshanna two-piece suits, ladies.

Coppertone packs a one-two punch with their NutraShield formula in SPF 30 ($10 for 6 fl. oz. at Duane Reade). Its package claims it’s “designed” for women: with added antioxidants and a hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic blend, we’d have to say it’s also on par with our dermatologist’s orders.

If sticky palms, a by-product of sunscreen application, has you down, reach for Banana Boat’s Ultra Defense continuous spray in SPF 85 ($8-$10 at drugstores). Like Coppertone, Banana Boat’s newest formula contains cell-friendly antioxidants and aloe vera, plus a seriously kick ass level of SPF that will cause last year’s sunburn to be a memory of summer’s past.

Still not convinced you’re ready to switch to the lighter side and nix your tanning habits? Ask the guy on the blanket next to you in Central Park if he’ll mind dabbing a bit of SPF on your shoulder as you blissfully sip an iced latte. Enough said.

-Karyn Polewaczyk

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