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I've tried everything with my succulents at home and eventually figured out that the trick isn't just avoiding moisture, but actually creating an environment where water moves through super fast. Anyone who says to use all-purpose soil with a bit of sand is way off. What actually works is a mix like 60% pumice or perlite, 30% soil specifically for succulents (which already drains well on its own) and 10% coarse sand. Pumice especially is what makes the difference because it stays light and doesn't compact over time, unlike fine sand which after a couple years basically turns into concrete.
The most common mistake I see is thinking that good drainage in the pot is enough. Sure, that helps, but the soil is half the battle. Succulent roots are made for dry climates, so if the substrate holds onto moisture even a little bit, you start losing plants slowly. I lost quite a few plants at the beginning because of this - I was watering once a week like someone had told me and the soil would stay damp underneath for days. Now in summer I water and it's already dry the next day, and in winter barely at all. The soil composition makes the whole thing way more forgiving.
One practical tip: if you can't find pumice, perlite works fine or even fine gravel in similar proportions. The important thing is breaking up the compactness and making the water evaporate as fast as possible. Always check the substrate a few centimeters below the surface before watering - don't go by a calendar.
Succulents hate compact, wet soil, so what you need to look for is something well-draining and light! The most important thing is that water doesn't pool, because roots rot quickly and the plant dies. A basic mix that really works well is universal potting soil mixed with coarse sand or perlite in ratios like 1:1 or even 60% soil and 40% draining material. If you want to be more precise, add a bit of fine gravel at the bottom of the pot too - it helps a ton with drainage!
Lots of people are crazy about specific succulent mixes you can buy ready-made in stores, but honestly if you're just starting out and don't want to spend a fortune, the DIY recipe works great. The important thing is to avoid soils that are too rich in peat or organic matter, because they hold moisture that succulents really don't like. And if you throw some activated charcoal into the mix, even better - it prevents bad smells and fungi when you water.
One detail a lot of people don't think about: the pot has to have drainage holes, period! There's no point having the best soil in the world if water just gets trapped. After repotting, wait at least a week before watering for the first time - the wounds on the roots need to heal. Succulents are tough plants, once you get them in the right soil they give you way fewer headaches!
What's worked for my plants is adding pumice or coarse sand to regular potting soil - don't buy pre-made stuff because it's often still too water-retentive. If you can't find pumice, broken-up terracotta shards work fine too.
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