The effect of hydrogen saturation of steel specimens on the results of their standardized testing for hydrogen cracking resistance was studied. When modeling the three-point bending of the sample, the hydrogen skin effect is taken into account, which is observed during standardized saturation of the samples with hydrogen in various electrolyte solutions. The classical decohesion HEDE model of hydrogen embrittlement is used. It is shown that, despite the microscopic depth, the skin effect leads to a dual nature of destruction, when both areas of hydrogen embrittlement and areas of ordinary fracture are observed at the fracture of the sample. Calculation results showed a strong influence of the hydrogen skin layer on the results of standardized testing of metals. This skin effect has a significant impact in the propagation of the destruction process along a metal sample and should be taken into account when performing industrial tests, simulations and experimental studies.