So, why are beards such a big deal in relationships? The study that got us talking about beards Back in 2016, researchers published a study in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology that shook up the dating game.

The study asked 8 250 women to rate photos of men for attractiveness based on short-term and long-term relationship potential. The photos were manipulated to show varying levels of facial hair, from clean-shaven to light stubble, heavy stubble, and full beards.

The results? Beards won big when it came to long-term relationship appeal.

While clean-shaven men or those with light stubble were often seen as attractive for casual flings or short-term fun, men with full beards were consistently rated as more attractive for serious, long-term partnerships. It turns out that bearded men give off strong “settle down” vibes.

The researchers suggested that beards signal masculinity, maturity, and the ability to provide stability traits that many people find appealing when looking for a life partner.

Beards = commitment? It doesn’t stop there. A separate study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior dug even deeper into the connection between facial hair and relationship tendencies.

The study found that bearded men tend to have less “mate-seeking motivation” (a fancy way of saying they’re not out looking for flings) and more “mate-retention motivation” (aka they’re focused on keeping and investing in the partner they already have).