SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]
Number of geographic regions	5
Number of product lines	3
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 550,094	$ 462,002
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	550,094	462,002
Nu Skin [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	326,186	249,515
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	326,186	249,515
Pharmanex [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	222,394	210,305
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	222,394	210,305
Other Product Lines [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	1,514	2,182
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	1,514	2,182
North Asia [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	188,193	182,200
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	188,193	182,200
Greater China [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	175,706	92,611
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	175,706	92,611
Americas [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	76,541	66,340
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	76,541	66,340
South Asia/Pacific [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	67,242	77,321
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	67,242	77,321
Europe - By Region [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	42,412	43,530
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	42,412	43,530
Japan [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	106,682	110,064
Long-lived assets	7,797		8,441
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	106,682	110,064
South Korea [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	81,511	72,136
Long-lived assets	13,504		14,030
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	81,511	72,136
United States [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	57,762	53,916
Long-lived assets	193,872		163,137
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	57,762	53,916
Europe - By Significant Geographic Area [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	37,121	37,742
Long-lived assets	2,360		2,622
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	37,121	37,742
Mainland China [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	124,053	50,838
Long-lived assets	35,828		30,199
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 124,053	$ 50,838