SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]
Number of geographic regions	5
Number of product lines	3
Nu Skin [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 249,515	$ 216,960
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	249,515	216,960
Pharmanex [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	210,305	176,197
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	210,305	176,197
Other Product Lines [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	2,182	2,688
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	2,182	2,688
North Asia [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	182,200	179,434
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	182,200	179,434
Greater China [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	92,611	68,593
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	92,611	68,593
Americas [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	77,321	49,946
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	77,321	49,946
South Asia/Pacific [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	66,340	55,879
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	66,340	55,879
Europe - By Region [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	43,530	41,993
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	43,530	41,993
Japan [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	110,064	111,833
Long-lived assets		14,113
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	110,064	111,833
South Korea [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	72,136	67,601
Long-lived assets		11,451
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	72,136	67,601
United States [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	53,916	47,230
Long-lived assets		98,205
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	53,916	47,230
Europe - By Significant Geographic Area [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	37,742	35,631
Long-lived assets		1,966
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	37,742	35,631
Mainland China [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	50,838	31,056
Long-lived assets		15,135
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	50,838	31,056
Taiwan [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue	24,912	25,212
Long-lived assets		1,556
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 24,912	$ 25,212