The present invention relates to a face mask for filtering contaminants from the air that is suitable for medical applications. The face mask includes an air-permeable body having an inner surface, wherein the body is sized to cover the nose and mouth of a subject when worn by the subject, an inner seal connected to said inner surface of said body, wherein said inner seal is sized to form a perimeter around a wearers nostrils and mouth, at least one strap connected to said body for securing said face mask to said subjects face, and a deflector layer connected to the inner surface of said body, wherein the deflector redirects at least a portion of the exhaled air down into the lower regions of the air-permeable body.
