SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 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	$ 526,182	$ 428,416	$ 1,581,419	$ 1,248,687
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	526,182	428,416	1,581,419	1,248,687
Nu Skin [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	271,269	235,957	815,852	680,848
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	271,269	235,957	815,852	680,848
Pharmanex [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	253,121	190,073	759,718	560,374
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	253,121	190,073	759,718	560,374
Other Product Lines [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	1,792	2,386	5,849	7,465
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	1,792	2,386	5,849	7,465
North Asia [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	184,743	184,322	544,638	546,853
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	184,743	184,322	544,638	546,853
Greater China [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	136,633	83,367	428,972	231,364
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	136,633	83,367	428,972	231,364
Americas [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	70,479	59,407	208,585	175,091
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	70,479	59,407	208,585	175,091
South Asia/Pacific [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	91,124	61,819	266,789	170,977
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	91,124	61,819	266,789	170,977
Europe - By Region [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	43,203	39,501	132,435	124,402
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	43,203	39,501	132,435	124,402
Japan [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	120,756	121,127	346,435	348,027
Long-lived assets	9,150		9,150		14,113
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	120,756	121,127	346,435	348,027
South Korea [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	63,987	63,195	198,203	198,826
Long-lived assets	12,924		12,924		11,451
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	63,987	63,195	198,203	198,826
nus_HongKongMember [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	31,905	13,172	150,694	37,792
Long-lived assets	644		644		1,030
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	31,905	13,172	150,694	37,792
United States [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	56,382	48,850	167,783	145,701
Long-lived assets	137,747		137,747		98,205
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	56,382	48,850	167,783	145,701
Mainland China [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	68,242	42,105	176,379	111,271
Long-lived assets	21,254		21,254		15,135
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	68,242	42,105	176,379	111,271
Taiwan [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	36,486	28,090	101,899	82,301
Long-lived assets	1,812		1,812		1,556
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 36,486	$ 28,090	$ 101,899	$ 82,301