Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Jan. 31, 2019	Jun. 29, 2018
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 Shell Company	false
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Ex Transition Period	false
Entity Public Float			$ 4,290
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Common Class A [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		55,360,994
Common Class B [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		0