A shocking new study has revealed that bearded men hair can be dirtier than a toilet bowl.

According to a group of microbiologists in New Mexico, the rancid bacteria that beards collect could be putting owners’ health at risk.

Microbiologist John Golobic, of Quest Diagnostics, swabbed a number of beards searching for bacteria for the study and found that some of the bacteria “are the kind of things that you find in feces.”

“I’m usually not surprised, and I was surprised by this,” he said. “There would be a degree of uncleanliness that would be somewhat disturbing.”

Apparently the key to a poo-free beard is to make sure you wash your hands regularly and avoid playing with and twirling the hair.

“Try to keep your hands away from your face, as much as possible,” Golobic added.