I have the opposite problem. I’ve had a beard the vast majority of my adult life (32M). Whenever I shave my wife will constantly pester me to grow it back since I look like 6 years younger. Add to that I start to actually notice how age has affected my face and end up growing it back very quickly lol.
Oh yeah I get that as well. I’ve just been told the beard strengthens my jaw some which works very well. I have red/auburn hair and so is my beard which i think definitely helps it look better for me with the beard lol.