How Do You Turn a Sunburn Into a Tan?

First, apply a cool compress, or take a cool bath to slow the burning. Adding cider vinegar to the bath balances the pH. An oatmeal bath also promotes healing. Keep the skin hydrated, especially with products containing aloe vera and vitamin E. Essential oil of St. John's wort also soothes sunburned skin, though it makes the skin sensitive to further burn. Other home remedies, such as masks of cucumber paste, cool milk, black tea, corn starch and potato mash, help alleviate the pain and keep skin from peeling.