What Are the Most Common Sex Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)?
Here's a secret no one really talks about... Even the best lovers make mistakes.
Sometimes it’s nerves. Sometimes it's bad habits. Sometimes it's just... life happening, you know? But the truth is, sex isn’t this magical thing you just instinctively "get right." It's messy. It's imperfect. And honestly? That’s part of what makes it good.
Still, a few common mistakes pop up again and again, quietly sabotaging what could be even better experiences. And the best bit? They're often ridiculously easy to fix once you notice them.
So, let's ditch the shame. Let’s laugh about the bits we’ve all got wrong at some point.
And maybe most importantly, let’s talk about how to fix them (with a little help from a few Skins goodies, obviously).
Mistake 1: Skipping Foreplay (and Thinking It Doesn't Matter)
Right, cards on the table: foreplay matters.
And not just as a box-ticking exercise.
Foreplay is what sets the stage, physically and mentally. It’s the warm-up, the build-up, the delicious tension that makes everything that follows feel... well, a hundred times better.
Skipping it because you're "too ready" or just in a rush?
Big mistake.
(Although, to be fair, sometimes it happens when you're absolutely desperate for each other. That's forgivable. Just not every time.)
Why foreplay makes such a difference:
- Blood flow: It primes the body properly, better erections, better lubrication, better orgasms.
- Mental arousal: Especially important for people who don't just "switch on" like a lightbulb.
- Emotional connection: It says, I’m not just here for me. I’m here for us.
Easy Fix:
Think of foreplay as the main event, not the opening act and if you’re feeling a bit stuck for ideas? Add a prop or two.
- Flavoured condoms from Skins make oral sex more playful (bubblegum anyone?).
- Flavoured lube can turn simple oral into much hotter.
- Massage oils make touch slower, softer, more exploratory and sensual.
Foreplay isn’t just a nice-to-have. It's essential and honestly? It might end up being your favourite part once you let it.
Mistake 2: Thinking Lube Is Only for "Problems"
Let’s clear something up right now: Needing (or just wanting) lube doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you.
Somehow, somewhere, lube got branded as a "fix" for dryness. Like if you "need" it, you're broken, or not turned on enough.
Utter nonsense.
The reality is, lube enhances sex. Full stop.
Even if your body is already doing all the right things, adding a little extra slip and slide makes everything smoother, softer, and frankly, more fun.
Plus, this is important... bodies are unpredictable.
- Hormones fluctuate
- Stress messes things up
- The weather (dry winter air!) can even have an impact
Easy Fix:
Treat lube like an essential, not a backup plan.
- Water-based lubes feel natural, are toy-friendly, and are easy to clean up.
- Silicone-based lubes offer silky-smooth, long-lasting glide (ideal for marathon sessions or shower adventures).
Read more: Wetter is Better: Why Dry Sex is Outdated
Bonus tip:
Leave your lube out - on the nightstand, not hidden away like a guilty secret. The easier it is to grab, the more normal it becomes to use it without thinking twice.
Mistake 3: Assuming Good Sex Just Happens Without Communication
Look, it would be lovely if everyone could magically read each other’s minds in bed.
But… no. That’s not how humans work.
Assuming your partner knows exactly what you want (or that you know exactly what they want) without ever talking about it? Recipe for frustration.
Probably also the root cause of more boring, awkward, or disappointing experiences than anyone cares to admit.
Why communication matters:
- It builds trust and emotional safety.
- It helps you discover new things you didn't even know you liked.
- It avoids "gritting your teeth through something you're not into" moments.
And here’s the kicker: it doesn’t have to be heavy or awkward. Sometimes it’s just a little, whispered "harder," or "softer," or "yes, just like that." Sometimes it's a cheeky text during the day hinting at what you want later.
Easy Fix:
Make communication part of the fun.
- Play together with new toys - like Skins' vibrators or massagers and learn together what feels good.
- Use lube and talk about how it changes the sensations.
-
Laugh about it.
("Did you mean to do that, or was it freestyle?" is a great way to giggle through a misfire.)
Tip: you don't have to do a TED Talk about your feelings.
Just little nudges, little clues. Over time, it becomes second nature.
Mistake 4: Treating Sex Like a Performance (Instead of a Connection)
You know the feeling.
Trying to hit all the "right" moves.
Wondering if you look okay.
Worrying if they’re really enjoying it or just being polite.
Performance anxiety - it sneaks up on everyone sometimes.
Especially in a world full of, frankly, totally unrealistic portrayals of sex.
The thing is, the best sex isn’t about how you look or how many tricks you know.
It’s about how present you are. How much fun you’re having together. How connected you feel.
Easy Fix:
Shift the goalposts.
Instead of chasing "perfect," chase playful. Chase present.
- Light candles or use low mood lighting (pick anything non-brand, from a homeware store) to make things feel less clinical.
- Grab a Skins flavoured condom and turn oral into a laughing, slightly ridiculous, very sexy game.
And when the inevitable weird noise happens? Laugh.
When someone knocks a glass off the nightstand? Laugh again.
You’re real people. Real sex is messy and imperfect and that’s why it’s sooooooo good.
Mistakes Happen - Great Sex Is Learning Together
Here’s the thing nobody tells you when you’re young and full of movie expectations:
Great sex isn’t about getting everything right. It’s about getting better together.
Every little awkward moment. Every wrong move. Every "whoops, not that angle" experience it all adds up. To memories. To intimacy. To trust.
And yes, sometimes to hilarious stories you'll never tell anyone else.
The best kind of sex is the kind you don’t take too seriously.
Because that’s where the real magic is.
