Are men’s beards dirtier than a toilet? You may have seen headlines like this, but we’re here to tell you why you don’t have to freak out about your beard. We’re busting the myth that beards are full of germs, so keep reading for the FACTS (and some tips on how to keep your beard clean).

A few years ago, a “study” from a local TV news station came out that swabbed several men’s beards and analyzed the results. This experiment found “enteric bacteria,” a part of the human biome also found in…excrement.

Suddenly, this totally unscientific experiment went viral, and the urban legend that beards were full of germs was born. The “study” never even swabbed the faces of clean-shaven guys, and scientists say that if they HAD, those beardless men probably would have had the same bacteria on their faces.

How Dirty Is Your Beard, Really?

The truth is, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that most beards are unclean or a significant source of harmful bacteria, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. As long as you regularly clean your beard—just like you regularly clean the hair on your head—you’re not at a greater risk of disease than dudes without beards.

The bacteria found in the TV news "study"? That same bacteria can be found on tons of other surfaces you touch every day…and they are usually harmless.

How To Care For Your Beard

So now that you know your beard isn’t full of feces, it IS important to remember that you should take care of it—again, the same way you take care of the hair on your head. But how? 

Part of caring for your beard is caring for the skin UNDER your beard. This skin, if not cared for properly, can get itchy and flaky…and nobody wants that. “But I scrub my face with a bar of soap in the shower!” you say. Well, that bar of soap could be making things WORSE.

Here's why: What you wash your beard with directly reflects how healthy it is. Bar soap can be drying to both your beard hair AND the skin underneath it. This can lead to irritated skin, make your beard feel itchy, and can give your partner a serious beard burn when you get close. Not great.

To keep it clean and healthy, use a cleanser specifically formulated for your facial hair and the skin underneath it. Victory Barber & Brand Wash Hair & Beard Cleanser is made with natural conditioning oils and plant-based cleansers, so it cleans without over-drying your face or beard.

Shop WASH: Hair & Beard Cleanser ($24)!

How To Keep Your Beard Soft

Keep itchy beards at bay by incorporating an effective moisturizing routine into your beard care. After you cleanse your beard and skin underneath it, apply a beard oil, ideally made with micro-fine essential oils so it moisturizes and penetrates properly. Beard Oil from Victory Barber & Brand is made with jojoba and grapeseed oil for the ultimate in skin-soothing and beard-softening moisture. 

Shop Beard Oil For A Soft Beard: $25

Are you making these 8 beard mistakes? Click here to find out…