It’s hard to find clear recent photos of Michael Jackson. In the past few years he’s been seen out occasionally at the odd party or awards ceremony, but when he’s photographed in public he’s usually wearing a mask or somehow obscuring his face.

Jackson, 50, was spotted out looking uncharacteristically happy and normal (for him) in Beverly Hills yesterday. The maybe former King of Pop went to a dermatologist, shopped at a cosmetics store on Robertson Boulevard, and was even seen at two antiques stores. He guarded his skin from the sun’s rays with a large umbrella and self consciously covered his nose at times, but was otherwise friendly and open with photographers and fans, smiling and waving for the cameras. Jackson went home with a big silver model airplane from the antiques store and some skin cream.

International superstar Michael Jackson visited a cosmetic and medical dermatology office in Beverly Hills, California today. Afterward, Jackson made a very public stop at “Alter Ego,” a cosmetics boutique on trendy Robertson Blvd. in Los Angeles. Jacko browsed through some skin-care products and picked up a package of Epicuren Discovery, an enzyme and propolis based spa product. Next, Jackson headed over to shop for some unique housewares, stopping by “Victorian Rose” and “Off the Wall Aniques.” MJ purchased a large silver model airplane and had his bodyguard lug it off to his awaiting car. The usually reclusive King of Pop waved at the cameras and smiled for his adoring fans!

[From Fame Pictures photo description]

Jackson’s album Thriller 25 came out in the US and around the world in February of this year, to commercial success. It features remixes of Jackson hits like “The Girl is Mine,” and “Wanna Be Startin Somethin” and sold over 3 million copies worldwide in the first three months after it was released. Maybe he realizes he’s still got fans and he may as well be friendly for a day or so. It’s kind of surprising to see him out walking around and not in a wheelchair with his face all covered up. He’ll never quite escape the slimy stink of the child sexual abuse allegations, but he can do wonders for his image with an occasional outing like this.

Photo credit: Fame Pictures