How to Earn Rust Skins
Through Random Item Drops on Steam
In theory, this is the most uncomplicated way to get Rust items because you only need to play the game. However, these item drops are random, and each drop requires plenty of game time. In the case of Rust, the automatic drop rate is set between 12 and 24 hours, which is plenty of time for an item worth only a couple of cents.
Once a player receives skin through the random drops, that item will automatically be added to the Steam inventory. It's important to remember that only the specific Rust servers will have item drops enabled, so make sure to check if your preferred server will drop items or not.
Through Twitch Drops
Rust is one of the games that support Twitch Drops, which is an effortless way of earning skins. Essentially, all you'll need to do is watch the Rust streams that have Twitch drops enabled and claim your rewards after a certain period spent watching them. Before this, however, make sure to link your Steam and Twitch accounts.
However, only the selected (usually famous) streamers will have the drops enabled on their channels, so always ensure that they have that tag featured in their streams so you don't waste your time.
Through Community Giveaways (Discord)
Several Rust servers on Discord are constantly awarding the server members with various skins, including the legendary (and pricey) ones! One of the reasons these servers lure thousands of Rust players is precisely this, so why not use this great opportunity and join in?
Every Rust server on Discord will have a unique set of rules for rewards, so make sure to read and understand them before taking part in it. In most cases, there will be notifications informing the members that there is currently a giveaway, raffle, or something else going on. So make sure to stay active (or at least lurk) on these servers, and you may win some of the coolest Rust skins!
Through Social Media Giveaways
From time to time, the Facepunch Studios, who developed and published Rust, will have giveaways to celebrate an event or special occasion or reward the active community members by giving away skins.
These giveaways are time-limited and usually don't last for more than a few days (and even less), so make sure to follow Facepunch Studios on every platform available, like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and such. There's really nothing to lose here, and you can get a skin or two, so it's a win-win situation because they will get likes and whatnot, while players will earn the skins.