Other Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Components of other assets [Abstract]
Deferred taxes	$ 15,128us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetNoncurrent	$ 5,174us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetNoncurrent
Deposits for noncancelable operating leases	29,957us-gaap_SecurityDeposit	24,406us-gaap_SecurityDeposit
Deposit for customs assessment (Note 20)	31,825us-gaap_RetainageDeposit	40,181us-gaap_RetainageDeposit
Cash surrender value for life insurance policies	26,280us-gaap_RestrictedInvestments	23,172us-gaap_RestrictedInvestments
Other	24,286us-gaap_OtherAssetsMiscellaneous	18,139us-gaap_OtherAssetsMiscellaneous
Total other assets	$ 127,476us-gaap_OtherAssets	$ 111,072us-gaap_OtherAssets

Name:	nus_ComponentsOfOtherAssetsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	nus_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount after allocation of valuation allowances of noncurrent deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards. Noncurrent assets are expected to be realized or consumed after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=37586315&loc=d3e31917-109318

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32537-109319

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 6

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=37586315&loc=d3e31931-109318

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=37586315&loc=d3e31928-109318

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 9

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=37586315&loc=d3e31958-109318

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The aggregate carrying amounts, as of the balance sheet date, of assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 17

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 10

-Article 7

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of other miscellaneous assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherAssetsMiscellaneous
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Investments which are not defined as or included in marketable (debt, equity, or other) securities whose use is restricted in whole or in part, generally by contractual agreements or regulatory requirements. For use in an unclassified balance sheet.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestrictedInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of assets, typically cash, provided to suppliers of goods in advance of receipt and acceptance, or services (such as research facilities, lawyers or consultants), which is held by such parties until the entity either effects full payment (including applying the retainer) or obtains release from liability.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RetainageDeposit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of an asset, typically cash, provided to a counterparty to provide certain assurance of performance by the entity pursuant to the terms of a written or oral agreement, such as a lease.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecurityDeposit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant