Petra Strand, Founder of Pixi Beauty, Shares Her Guide to the Ultimate Wellness Weekend in Stockholm, Sweden

Petra Strand, Founder of Pixi Beauty

Some of the links on Spa & Beauty Today may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we may receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

Launched in London over 25 years ago, Pixi Beauty is a brand inspired by founder Petra Strand’s Scandinavian heritage. “Growing up in Sweden, beauty was always about balance and simplicity. My grandmother always said good skin comes from good habits, fresh air, and taking care of yourself consistently. That stayed with me,” says Strand. 

Women enjoying fresh air at Rosendal’s Garden in Stockholm. Image courtesy of Tina Stafrén/imagebank.sweden.se.

With her brand’s philosophy rooted in Swedish beauty and wellness, we couldn’t resist asking Strand to reveal her favorite destinations for a self-care filled trip to Stockholm. From where to dine to where to take in sauna culture and nature, Strand reveals her insider tips for a fabulous, soul-nourishing Stockholm visit. If you dream of slow whimsical travel experiences filled with charming cafes, forest walks, pampering spa days, and a little bit of luxury, this is the travel guide for you.

How did your Scandinavian heritage influence the products and philosophy behind Pixi?

Kayaking in Djurgårdsbrunnskanalen. Image courtesy of Henrik Trygg/imagebank.sweden.se.

Scandinavian culture is deeply connected to nature, and it’s where I replenish.

Long walks in the forest, cold water swims (maybe not), clean ingredients, and simple yet effective routines. This way of living and mindset shaped Pixi from the beginning.

I wanted to create a brand with effective, skin-loving products that fit into real life.

The idea of glow for me has always been that fresh, healthy look you get after a walk outdoors or a great night’s sleep. That is very Scandinavian—a natural, healthy, luminous kind of beauty.

When you are traveling, what are your must-have Pixi products to include in your carry-on?

Hydrating Milky Mist. Image courtesy of Pixi Beauty/imagebank.sweden.se.

Hydrating Milky Mist is always in my bag. I spritz it during the flight and as soon as I arrive to keep skin feeling fresh and comfortable. I have our petite size in every bag.

DetoxifEYE patches. Image courtesy of Pixi Beauty.

DetoxifEYE patches are my secret weapon. I travel with our single packets and also hand them out to anyone I talk to. I apply them on the plane and even sleep with them. I use them as a pre-makeup pick-me-up as well. They instantly make me look more awake and less puffy.

Vitamin-C CremeSerum. Image courtesy of Pixi Beauty.

Our new Vitamin-C CremeSerum is perfect for travel because it simplifies my routine. It is a serum-gel with encapsulated Vitamin C moisture beads that burst as you apply, so you get that fresh delivery of brightness each time. The texture feels cushiony and comforting but absorbs beautifully without feeling heavy. When you are tired from travel, that combination of hydration and glow makes such a difference.

ON-the-GLOW Shield Stick (SPF 50). Image courtesy of Pixi Beauty.

And of course ON-the-GLOW Shield Stick (SPF 50). It is solid so easy to carry, easy to apply under makeup, and easy to reapply during the day. It will never leak in your bag.

Any Pixi tips for a quick refresh when you get to your destination?

Pixi Founder Petra Strand in the studio. Image courtesy of Pixi Beauty.

The first thing I do is hydrate. I drink water straight away and mist generously to bring comfort back to my skin.

If I have time, I apply the Antioxidant Eye Mask Goggles. They are perfect after travel because they feel cooling and cocooning all around the eye area. The eye area shows fatigue first and these help revive while also supporting the skin barrier.

If my skin feels dry or tight, I reach for Rose Ceramide Cream. It is deeply comforting and helps restore that soft, balanced feeling. I will use a Pixi sheet mask, usually GLOW, if I want a full reset, especially after a long flight. And of course more Eye Patches.

For makeup I use Flawless Beauty Primer and our TintFix, a super natural tinted moisturizer packed with hydration. To finish, I tap a little LiquidGlow onto cheeks and lips. It brings instant life back to the complexion and makes you look like yourself again.

It does not need to be complicated. Hydrate, nourish and let your skin settle.

What’s your ideal way to spend a morning in Stockholm?

Morning with a City Hall view. Image courtesy of Henrik Trygg/imagebank.sweden.se.

My perfect Stockholm morning starts early. The light there is very special, especially in summer.

Stockholm in the summer. Image courtesy of Felix Gerlach/Imagebank.sweden.se.

I would take a walk along the water, or through one of the many forests and around the lakes in and around the city, with Djurgården being a personal favourite, breathing in the crisp air and enjoying the quiet as the perfect way to begin the day.

Winter in Djurgården. Image courtesy of Oskar Scheller / Stockholm Business Region / imagebank.sweden.se.

In the summer I love to stop for a fika at Rosendals Trädgårdscafé and enjoy freshly baked goods, a warm beverage and the beautiful greenery that surrounds the café.

Fika in Stockholm. Image courtesy of Tina Stafrén/imagebank.sweden.se.

During summer, Swedes spend as much time outdoors as possible, and “fika,” usually a cup of tea with a cinnamon or cardamom bun, is such a lovely routine of slowing down and catching up with people you care about.

It is simple, but that simplicity is what makes it beautiful.

Are there any traditional Swedish wellness or beauty practices that visitors to Stockholm should experience?

A sauna by the sea. Image courtesy of Helén Pe/imagebank.sweden.se.

Sauna culture is very important in Sweden. Sauna followed by a cold plunge is something everyone should try at least once. It wakes up the body and clears the mind.

We also believe in fresh air no matter the weather. There is no bad weather, only bad clothing. That mindset keeps you moving and connected to nature.

A forest walk. Image courtesy of Simon Paulin/imagebank.sweden.se.

When I travel, I try to maintain balance. I drink water, keep my skincare simple and go outside in the daylight as soon as possible. Even a short walk can reset everything.

Do you have a favorite spa or beauty business that you recommend visiting in Stockholm?

Japanese bath at Yasuragi in the winter. Image courtesy of Yasuragi.

If I have more time I love Yasuragi for a spa experience. It is peaceful and beautifully designed, and you truly replenish and rest.

Sturebadet is a bath in Stockholm with a long history. Tuukka Ervasti/Imagebank.sweden.se

For something more classic, and in the city, Sturebadet has old-world elegance and a strong wellness heritage. Swimming in this stunning pool is great for a quick revitalizing effect.

A man jumps into the water from a sauna raft. Image courtesy of Anna Hållams/imagebank.sweden.se.

But most of all I love the lakes. Being outdoors and in nature is where I feel most at home.

All very Swedish in different ways.

Hotel recommendation and why?

Junior suite at Ett Hem Stockholm, a Small Luxury Hotel of the World. Image courtesy of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

I can recommend Ett Hem Stockholm to friends. It truly feels like staying in a beautiful private home rather than a hotel. It is intimate, warm and thoughtfully designed. Both capture that understated Scandinavian luxury that feels comfortable rather than showy.

Personally, I have my mom and my whole family in Sweden, so that makes it feel like home.

Must-try restaurant to experience local cuisine? Favorite thing to order?

Sturehof. Image courtesy of Sturehof.

I love Stockholm’s timeless classics. Sturehof is a place I return to often. The atmosphere is lively yet elegant, and I almost always order Löjromstoast or Toast Skagen, simple, beautifully fresh dishes that capture the essence of Swedish seafood.

In summer, I’m drawn to Strandvägen 1, where sitting outside in the sun for a long lunch with my sisters is one of my favourite rituals. Watching the boats drift by along the water is Stockholm at its best.

Swedish cuisine, much like good skincare, is about purity, balance and letting quality ingredients do the work.

I love seafood and simple clean ingredients.

Coffee or tea spot for meeting friends, working or people watching?

Swedish cardamom buns at Lillebrors Bager. Image courtesy of Oskar Scheller / Stockholm Business Region/imagebank.sweden.se.

Vete-Katten is a classic Stockholm café and bakery, full of history and charm. I always associate it with traditional fika, and it evokes fond memories from my childhood, as my grandmother ran her own café. The atmosphere there carries the same vintage Swedish warmth.

Princesstårta. Image courtesy of Jakob Fridholm/imagebank.sweden.se.

And when I want to bring something home, I head to Lillebrors Bageri for freshly baked bread, buns or a classic Princesstårta (not to be missed if you are in Sweden).

Favourite museum and why?

Skansen in winter. Image courtesy of Tuukka Ervasti/imagebank.sweden.se.

Skansen is my all-time favourite. It is a beautiful open-air museum that is perfect for spending a day outdoors. It’s very family friendly, with lovely spots for fika or lunch in the sun, and in winter it hosts a charming Christmas market that feels like pure Swedish heritage.

Skansen takes you through time, showing how people lived and worked historically. You can also discover all the different animals that exist in Nordic forests and so much more. It truly is not to be missed if you are in Stockholm.

I also love Skogskyrkogården. It’s a World Heritage site and absolutely stunning and magical. It’s not exactly a museum but it’s well worth the 20 minute tube ride from the city center.

Favourite boutique and why?

Christmas market in Old Town Stockholm. Image courtesy of Oskar Scheller / Stockholm Business Region/imagebank.sweden.se.

I do love an all-under-one-roof department store. One of my favourites is Nordiska Kompaniet (NK), and an Åhlens visit is an absolute must (we have Pixi in Åhlens!).

It’s such a Stockholm institution, with beautiful fashion, design and beauty all under one roof. I especially love visiting during the holidays when the historic building feels particularly magical.

Winter night in Stockholm’s Old Town. Image courtesy of Oskar Scheller / Stockholm Business Region/imagebank.sweden.se.

I also enjoy wandering through some of Stockholm’s smaller antique and interior boutiques in Gamla Stan. You can find wonderful vintage treasures and antiques stores, and I love discovering unique pieces with history and character.

For me those kinds of shops are the most inspiring. They reflect the Scandinavian appreciation for craftsmanship, timeless design and objects that are meant to last.

Recommendation for experiencing nature?

The harbour of Öregrund, Stockholm Archipelago. Image courtesy of Anne Sofie Eriksson/imagebank.sweden.se.

Take a boat out into the Stockholm archipelago. The islands are peaceful and breathtaking, and there is something very grounding about being surrounded by water and sky.

I also always recommend a walk through the Swedish forest. The forests were a huge inspiration for Pixi from the very beginning. As a child I spent so much time outdoors, breathing in that fresh pine air and listening to my grandmother’s stories about Nordic folklore. That sense of magic, calm and connection to nature shaped our philosophy and our love of effective botanicals.

Tyresta National Park. Image courtesy of Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Nicklas Wijkmark.

If you want to experience that feeling for yourself, visit Tyresta National Park just outside Stockholm. It is one of the oldest forests in the region and walking there feels almost magical. The stillness, the scent of pine and moss, the filtered light through the trees. It is deeply grounding.

Even today, being among the trees feels like a reset. It reminds me where the idea of glow truly began.

Favorite way to unwind in the evening?

Midsummer lunch. Image courtesy of Carolina Romare/imagebank.sweden.se.

I recharge when I’m with family and friends.

In Stockholm that often means long summer lunches that turn into dinner, sitting outside while the light lingers late into the evening. There is something very special about Swedish summer light. It stretches the day and makes everything feel softer.

Local fish served at a restaurant in the archipelago of Stockholm. Image courtesy of Anna Hållams/imagebank.sweden.se.

Simple food, candles on the table, laughter and no real schedule. That is my version of slowing down.

For me that kind of togetherness is what restores you. And when you feel restored, your glow naturally follows.

Bath at Ett Hem Stockholm, a Small Luxury Hotel of the World. Image courtesy of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

If I’m at home on my own, I love a hot bath with a candle and a face mask. Then straight to bed for a long night.

Lizzy Sherman, Co-Founder of Spa & Beauty Today

A University of Michigan graduate, Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning writer and editor. You can also find her work in publications including Healthline, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo!, MindBodyGreen, Men’s Journal, Bezzy, and more.

She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA, and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals.

When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram: @zillizy