Mark your calendars, gentlemen, September 5th is World Beard Day! It’s the hirsute man’s time to shine! In honor of that fact, here are 5 reasons for growing a beard.

Beards Give You A Stronger Jawline

Beards are the key to covering up a weak jawline or a double chin. Whether you’ve always been self-conscious about the shape of your jaw or you’re putting on weight and it’s showing on your chin, letting your facial hair grow can solve both of these issues.

Growing A Beard Helps Your Facial Symmetry

If your face is circular or squared off, that means the width and length of your face are almost equal. You need a beard that’s going to add some length. However, if your face shape is rectangular or oblong, a long beard will only make your face look longer. You’ll want to keep longer sides instead to add symmetry.

Beards Block Out UV Rays

Growing a beard is your natural SPF. Thick beards are capable of blocking out 95 percent of the UV rays from the sun.

A 2011 Oxford Academic study proved beards provide far more sun protection that the other parts of your body.

“The facial hair reduced the exposure ratio (ERs) to approximately one-third of those sites with no hair,” the study reads. So, your beard is a surefire way to fight off all the effects of time in the sun—premature aging, skin cancer risk, sunburn

A More Rugged Look

When we look back in history, beards first served the purpose of showing a man’s masculinity. Not in some misogynistic, caveman beating his chest kind of way. There was an evolutionary advantage of beards. Like a male deer’s antlers, beards served as an indication of maleness. They’re the obvious signal to women that you were capable of being a protector and provider. 

A Well-Groomed Beard Helps Prevent Aging

Beards function as a filter between your skin and filter allergens and airborne bacteria away from your skin. The aforementioned blocking of UV Rays also keeps your skin clear of cancerous blemishes. Having a beard also reduces the amount of acne and discoloration on your skin, your skin will stay healthy for longer.