Document And Entity Information (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012
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	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float	$ 753,000,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	63,109,708
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	CY
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	May 03, 2012