While hygiene is essential, research shows you just need “two or three” showers a week, according to Professor Luke O’Neill. 

Prof O’Neill told Show Me the Science that there as many risks of showering too much as there is to not showering enough. 

“It’s a bit controversial because some occupations have to have more regular showers,” he said. 

“Some people of course will have different standards - but every morning when I wake up, I do jump in. 

“The overall advice would be two or three times a week is fine. 

“In fact, if you shower too much, they can cause your skin to dry, and crack can increase the risk of a bit of injury. 

“Of course, if you don’t shower enough, that may make you offensive to the people you live with.” 

Showers from country to country

Prof O’Neill clarified, however, that the average amount of washes people do vary from country to country. 

“In the US, for example, the average is about six times a week,” he said. 

"In Brazil, the average number of showers per week was 12 - what that means is people are having more than one shower per day because it’s a very hot country. 

“Some cultures advocate for more showering and others are encouraging more and more, so you do see a big wide range.” 

Protecting the skin

The biochemist explained the skin creates an oil called sebum for protection that contains components such as cholesterol. 

“The sebum has a major role in keeping your skin lubricated, but also very importantly, they protect you from infection,” he said. 

“And obviously enough, if you're doing too much showering, especially with lots of soup, that will wash off the sebum. 

“That's why it's important not to take too many showers because you're losing that natural, innate defence against microbes and the lubrication of the skin.” 

Prof O’Neill also explained sweat – particularly the sweat we produce from our armpits – includes fats and sweats that bacteria “loves”. 

It is this sweat that causes us to smell bad, so the professor recommended finding a way you can preserve your sebum without offending surrounding noses.