Abstract: A device for optical examination of human skin and its pigmentation comprises a cylindrical housing in which are arranged an optical observation device and a vertical illumination device. Where it faces the skin the housing is delimited by a plate made of transparent plastics or glass, which is applied to a skin site to be examined without introducing an immersion fluid. Light polarization devices are situated between the illumination device and the transparent plate and between the transparent plate and the optical observation device, their degree of polarization being controlled or, optionally, their location being movable mechanically into or out of particular light beam paths.