An improved sealing element for a facemask and facemasks which include the sealing element are provided. The sealing element may be formed of a flexible material having a durometer value of 60 or less on a Type 000 scale, and the sealing element may have at least three primary external faces including a) a facemask attachment face； b) a skin contact face； and c) a third face. When viewed in cross-section, the skin contact face is the longest of the three faces, and the sealing element is formed into a triangular or trapezoidal cross-sectional configuration during manufacturing. Also when viewed in cross section, the side corresponding to the third face may have a length which is less than 90% of the length of the skin contact face.
