10 Benefits to Having a Beard

Beards were actually important for survival thousands of years ago, one of the reasons was that it kept men warm.

We don't live in caves anymore, but still, a beard will keep your face warmer in the winter. Facial hair prevents your skin from chapping and turning red, and keeps you warm without having to wear a ski mask.

A 2012 Chinese study showed men’s fuzzy upper lips were one degree warmer than their cheeks, indicating facial hair does protect against cold temperatures.

When temperatures are too cold, beards may pose a problem by trapping ice, but that appears to be an issue reserved for polar explorers.​

A beard will make you look more masculine if you have a weak jawline or baby face. When you have a more prominent jawline, you’ll look more attractive to women.

As long as you keep your beard well-groomed, by brushing, combing and using beard oil, you'll maintain the rough look that women love.

Studies show women find men with beards to be more masculine than clean-shaven men. People, in general, perceive a man with facial hair to be more dominant and mature than a man without a beard or mustache.

You won’t have to drag yourself out of bed every morning for the shaving ritual. Regular shaving leaves you with cuts and abrasions. The nicks and cuts on your face from shaving can cause infections, ingrown hairs, and folliculitis, an inflammation of the hair follicles on the skin.

Maintaining a beard may seem like a chore, but if you do it right, it will take less time than regular shaving. Of course you'll have to groom and maintain it, but it's totally worth it.

Facial hair protects your skin from harmful UV rays, which can cause skin cancer. A study published in the journal Radiation Protection Dosimetry concluded that beards offer 50 to 95 percent protection against UV rays.

Beards offer better protection against UVB rays than UVA rays. UVB rays redden the skin and cause sunburn, which may lead to non-melanoma cancer.

The amount of UV protection depends on the length and angle of your beard. A longer beard will give you more protection, but it’s still important to use sunscreen when you go outside.

Women like beards because they highlight your eyes, and cover up a weak chin or jawline. Women found men with beards to be healthier and better parents than their clean-shaven counterparts.

Having a beard accentuates your jaw size, making you look more masculine, and therefore, more attractive to women, according to a Glasgow University study.

In another study, women perceived men with full beards as being more masculine and a better long-term partner, but they found heavy stubble to be the most attractive look.

Beards protect your skin against sun exposure, the wind and harsh weather, reducing the effects of aging. Combine that with the lack of cuts from shaving, and you'll have smoother skin.

When you stop shaving, you'll reduce your chance of bacterial infections and irritated hair follicles, which age your skin and make it drier.

Beards keep your skin youthful by encouraging your sebaceous glands to moisturize your skin. Well-groomed facial hair prevents the dry skin that causes wrinkles in older men.

Beards prevent asthma-causing pollen grains and dust from entering your nose and causing respiratory problems. Facial hair stops you from inhaling pollutants in the air that aggravate allergies and asthma, leaving your lungs healthier.

Beards and mustaches easily trap sticky pollen, but some doctors believe microscopic dust particles can build up in beards. The particles may then be combed or washed away - or wiped into the nose.

Hefty beards cover the chin and neck, insulating the skin and keeping it warm. Facial hair helps prevent coughs and colds by trapping cold air and raising neck temperature.

Growing and maintaining a beard will take time, but it will improve your self-discipline.

You need to be tenacious to grow out your facial hair from stubble to chicken scratch whiskers to full-on beard. It will take a while get the handsome, well-coiffed beard you see in men's magazine and on indie rockers. Patience and self-discipline will get you there.

Grooming a beard requires time and effort, too, though not nearly as much as regular shaving. Resist the temptation to rid yourself of stubble during the in-between stages to enjoy the health benefits of having a beard.

A beard filters allergens and other airborne bacteria, driving them away from your mouth to improve health. You won’t get as many colds or allergy attacks.

Growing a mustache also keeps allergens out of your nose and reduces the effects of hay fever and other allergies. As long as you maintain your facial hair by washing it and using beard oil or beard balm, you'll look great and avoid health problems caused by allergens.

By keeping airborne bacteria out of your mouth, your beard also reduces the chance of gum disease. You’ll still need to brush your teeth and floss, but a beard will offer more protection against inflamed gums.

Growing and taking care of a beard gives you an excellent way to improve your looks and pass the time. You can learn more about skin health and learn how to use beard oil, beard balm and beard brushes.

You might even present your beard in a contest.

Having facial hair offers you an excellent way to express your individuality, just like any other hobby, clothing choice or grooming option.

A well-kempt beard is worth the time it takes to grow it and groom it. You'll get compliments from friends, acquaintances, and strangers.