We all make mistakes, and that’s OK. We’re not born knowing how to make the best out of our appearance, be it with our shoes or, in this case, our serums. There isn’t a single member of the MR PORTER staff who hasn’t at some point committed a bathroom blunder in their search for a more handsome face. But making the same mistake over and over again without realising that it’s even a mistake in the first place? Well, that’s where we should draw the line. To that end, we identified seven common grooming sins and then asked some experts for their advice on how to make amends. Hey, we can’t all be perfect (but these tips might just get you close).

Most men pay insufficient attention to their hands and feet. While calluses, cracks and dry skin sound like only minor inconveniences, they can develop into much worse problems. “As well as being unpleasant to look at, broken skin and ingrown toenails are a breeding ground for bacteria,” says Ms Louise Cantwell, a therapist at Mayfair spa and barbershop Gentlemen’s Tonic. “If you haven’t built up the courage to visit an expert just yet, start with simple steps like soaking your feet in warm water before moisturising, and keeping a hand cream on your desk.”

In life, there are things you can skimp on, and some things you absolutely cannot, chiefly quality denim and your barber. “Your hair is such a strong statement of who you are, it’s always worth spending a little extra,” says Mr Jason Collier, who has trimmed the tresses of Messrs Justin Timberlake and Brooklyn Beckham. Shelling out more than £20 rather than about £6 won’t just get you more than a bog-standard snip, it’ll pay dividends in the form of a stylist who takes the time to carry out a proper consultation. “It’s important to build a relationship with a barber over time,” says Mr Collier. “This allows them to learn your likes and dislikes and how your hair works, so you’ll always end up with a great outcome.”

To paraphrase the medical journal Clinical, Cosmetic And Investigational Dermatology, damage from prolonged sun exposure is the number-one cause of your face looking like an unloved box of prunes. “Harmful UVA and UVB rays force collagen to break down at a higher rate than normal,” says celebrity tanner and grooming expert Mr James Harknett. If premature ageing isn’t enough to scare you into the shade, that big ball of radioactive mass also dehydrates the skin and can even lead to melanoma (that’s skin cancer). “Aside from making a daily SPF essential, with so many safe ways to get a natural-looking tan, there’s really no excuse for playing fast and loose,” says Mr Harknett.

When Mr Luther Vandross sang “Never Too Much”, he may not have been talking about fragrance, but they are words you’d be well-advised to heed. “Whether a scent is bad, average or even good, when used in high quantities, it can become overpowering,” says British perfumer Mr Roja Dove. Any more than three spritzes is a big eau no, he says, unless you want to leave your date feeling overwhelmed. To make your scent last longer, avoid warm pulse points such as wrists or behind the ears. Instead, target your collarbones to trap the molecules between your skin and clothes.

After a shave, there are a number of reasons why it might look like the devil is trying to escape from your pores. Perhaps you didn’t prepare effectively with a gentle exfoliator and shave oil to lift and soften hairs, or you used an old, germ-ridden razor, or maybe it’s your technique that is lacking. (Need we remind you to go with, not against, the grain?) Most likely, however, it’s because you’re missing out a crucial step. “The process of shaving coupled with many shaving foams and soaps can irritate even the hardiest faces,” says Dr Nestor Demosthenous, one of Scotland’s leading cosmetic doctors. “The most effective way to avoid things like ingrown hairs and razor bumps is with an aftercare routine. Use a soothing post-shave balm or cream to replenish the lost hydration and restore a protective layer over the skin.”

Most us of like to think we’ve got this whole showering thing down. What you might not realise, though, is that getting too steamy can wreak havoc on your skin and hair. “Scalding water temperatures strip away natural oils and can even cause inflammation similar to sunburn,” says Dr Jonquille Chantrey, medical director at Expert Aesthetics Clinic. That’s not to say you should brave a sub-Arctic wash every morning, but a quick blast of freezing water can help lock in moisture, aid recovery after exercise and leave your skin and hair looking healthier.

It’s a cruel fact of life that, beyond the age of 30, half of all men will shed hair from where they want it (their heads) and begin to sprout rampant tufts from cavities they’d really rather not. “Hair appearing in our noses, ears and on our backs is completely normal,” says skincare expert Mr Andy Millward. “It’s linked to areas of the body reacting differently to changes in testosterone levels over time.” As a general rule, if you can see it, so can everyone else. To stop yours growing wild, arm yourself with a pair of rounded facial hair scissors or an electric detail trimmer.