The present invention relates to a cushion element (14) for a patient interface (10) for providing a flow of breathable gas to a patient (12), wherein the cushion element (14) comprises a face-contacting layer (32) for contacting a face of the patient (12) during use of the cushion element (14) and a responsive layer (34) which is covered by the face-contacting layer (32). The responsive layer (34) comprises a plurality of active and passive zones (38, 40) that are arranged alternately side by side to one another. Each of the active zones (38) comprises at least one actuator (42) for moving the face-contacting layer (32), and wherein each of the passive zones (40) comprises a cushion material that is arranged between the actuators (42). The face-contacting layer (32) forms a corrugated or undulating surface (46) covering both the active and the passive zones (38,40), wherein first parts (48) of said surface (46) covering the active zones (38) project beyond or are recessed relative to second parts (50) of said surface (46) covering the passive zones (40).
