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There are so many tempting products on the pharmacy shelves these days that it's a wonder we don't spend most of our day enjoying a soak.

But apparently there is such a thing as 'too clean' and scientists are concerned that it could be affecting our health.

Researchers at the University of California claim that all that scrubbing, exfoliating and toning could impair our skin's ability to stay healthy.

As good as all that lathering feels, it is removing bacteria from the skin which plays a key role in preventing rashes and helps to dampen the effect of cuts and bruises.

Professor Richard Gallo, who led the research, said: "These germs are actually good for us.

"Bacteria such as staphylococcal species cause inflammation when introduced beneath the skin's surface.

"But the same bugs do not trigger inflammation when present on the epidermis, or outer layer of skin."

In fact the research, published online in the journal Nature Medicine, discovered that the bacteria we're so obsessed with washing away, could help to reduce inflammation as well as deterring dangerous bacteria from sneaking in.

And with allergies on the rise in the UK, it could be that we're all just a little too clean.

So you see those mud pies we were so fond of as kids apparently weren't such a bad idea after all.