According to a study published in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior, men with beards are more attractive than those who are clean shaven. In the study, researchers showed women photographs of 10 men at four different stages of beard growth: clean shaven, a 5-day “light” stubble, a 10-day “heavy” stubble, and a full beard. 351 women and 177 heterosexual men viewed the photos and rated each photograph on four different factors: attractiveness, masculinity, health, and possible parenting ability. Women found the best looking men were in the “heavy stubble” phase of the beard cycle.
Men with beards are also healthier, according to another research. A study from the University of Southern Queensland, published in the Radiation Protection Dosimetry journal, found that beards block 90 to 95 percent of UV rays, slowing the aging process and reducing the risk of skin cancer. Beards are also believed to trap and contain allergens that cause asthma attacks, protect the bearded masses from catching colds and help keep skin from drying out, according to the report.