SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]
Number of geographic regions			5
Number of product lines			3
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 593,235	$ 424,426	$ 1,055,237	$ 820,271
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	593,235	424,426	1,055,237	820,271
Nu Skin [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	295,068	227,931	544,583	444,891
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	295,068	227,931	544,583	444,891
Pharmanex [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	296,292	194,104	506,597	370,301
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	296,292	194,104	506,597	370,301
Other Product Lines [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	1,875	2,391	4,057	5,079
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	1,875	2,391	4,057	5,079
North Asia [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	177,695	183,097	359,895	362,531
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	177,695	183,097	359,895	362,531
Greater China [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	199,728	79,404	292,339	147,997
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	199,728	79,404	292,339	147,997
Americas [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	71,766	59,805	138,106	115,684
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	71,766	59,805	138,106	115,684
South Asia/Pacific [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	98,344	59,212	175,665	109,158
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	98,344	59,212	175,665	109,158
Europe - By Region [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	45,702	42,908	89,232	84,901
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	45,702	42,908	89,232	84,901
Japan [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	115,615	115,067	225,679	226,900
Long-lived assets	9,455		9,455		14,113
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	115,615	115,067	225,679	226,900
South Korea [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	62,080	68,030	134,216	135,631
Long-lived assets	11,706		11,706		11,451
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	62,080	68,030	134,216	135,631
nus_HongKongMember [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	101,928	12,295	118,789	24,620
Long-lived assets	782		782		1,030
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	101,928	12,295	118,789	24,620
United States [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	57,485	49,621	111,401	96,851
Long-lived assets	124,020		124,020		98,205
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	57,485	49,621	111,401	96,851
Europe - By Significant Geographic Area [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	40,100	37,126	77,842	72,757
Long-lived assets	2,049		2,049		1,966
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	40,100	37,126	77,842	72,757
Mainland China [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	57,299	38,110	108,137	69,166
Long-lived assets	10,796		10,796		15,135
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	57,299	38,110	108,137	69,166
Taiwan [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	40,501	28,999	65,413	54,211
Long-lived assets	1,549		1,549		1,556
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 40,501	$ 28,999	$ 65,413	$ 54,211