Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	NU SKIN ENTERPRISES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001021561
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 2,510
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Common Class A [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		52,569,172
Common Class B [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		0