Beards can be a source of great divide. Some love a clean cut, while others prefer some manly stubble.

According to a trichologist, a person who studies the health of hair and scalp, a beard is now considered a ‘bacterial sponge’.

Carol Walker, a consultant trichologist with the Birmingham Trichology Centre told the MailOnline:

“Beards harbour more germs because facial hair is courser than other hair, so traps dirt and germs more easily.

“If their hands are dirty, they transfer dirt from their hands on to their face and mouth.”

Carol went on to explain that facial hair is seen to most commonly trap food, bacteria from cold and common bacteria from hands, which then multiply and grow from the heat radiated from your skin.

And a word of warning if your bearded man loves a pint of milk?

“If someone’s eating dairy products it can get stuck in their beard and become a bit rancid.”

Although before you force anyone into the bathroom with a razor, apparently the bacteria is the same bacteria found on your skin. So if he can keep it washed regularly, you’ll be alright.

Might be time to buy a beard comb… just to remove the crumbs…

To be on the safe side.