Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of geographic regions									5
Revenue by region [Abstract]
Revenue									$ 2,169,664	$ 1,743,991	$ 1,537,259
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	588,300	526,200	593,200	462,000	495,300	428,400	424,400	395,800	2,169,664	1,743,991	1,537,259
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	588,300	526,200	593,200	462,000	495,300	428,400	424,400	395,800	2,169,664	1,743,991	1,537,259
Nu Skin [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue									1,178,414	964,130	913,819
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue									1,178,414	964,130	913,819
Pharmanex [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue									983,778	770,192	612,209
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue									983,778	770,192	612,209
Other Product Lines [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue									7,472	9,669	11,231
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue									7,472	9,669	11,231
Japan [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue									497,298	472,519	471,425
Long-lived assets	8,441				14,113				8,441	14,113
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue									497,298	472,519	471,425
South Korea [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue									297,535	278,646	214,648
Long-lived assets	14,030				11,451				14,030	11,451
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue									297,535	278,646	214,648
United States [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue									230,924	211,788	212,070
Long-lived assets	163,137				98,205				163,137	98,205
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue									230,924	211,788	212,070
Hong Kong [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue									169,728	80,524	69,686
Long-lived assets	559				1,030				559	1,030
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue									169,728	80,524	69,686
Europe [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue									162,055	140,497	124,497
Long-lived assets	2,622				1,966				2,622	1,966
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue									162,055	140,497	124,497
Mainland China [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue									264,791	152,538	91,352
Long-lived assets	30,199				15,135				30,199	15,135
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue									264,791	152,538	91,352
Taiwan [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue									136,121	108,857	107,133
Long-lived assets	1,945				1,556				1,945	1,556
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue									136,121	108,857	107,133
North Asia [Member]
Revenue by region [Abstract]
Revenue									794,833	751,165	686,073
Greater China [Member]
Revenue by region [Abstract]
Revenue									570,640	341,919	268,171
Americas [Member]
Revenue by region [Abstract]
Revenue									288,732	251,984	250,008
South Asia Pacific [Member]
Revenue by region [Abstract]
Revenue									330,240	236,212	182,796
Europe [Member]
Revenue by region [Abstract]
Revenue									$ 185,219	$ 162,711	$ 150,211