A dressing for applying reduced pressure at a tissue site, said dressing comprising: a dressing material for transferring the reduced pressure to the tissue site and for receiving liquid from the tissue site, the dressing material comprising: a tissue-interface layer for contacting the tissue site, the tissue-interface layer being a hydrophobic layer, a manifold for distributing reduced pressure, the manifold being a hydrophobic layer, and a first absorbent layer formed from a hydrophilic material for absorbing liquid from the tissue site via the tissue-interface layer and the manifold, the manifold disposed between the tissue-interface layer and the first absorbent layer; and a drape covering at least a portion of the dressing material, characterized in that: the dressing material further comprises a second absorbent layer adjacent to the first absorbent layer, wherein the second absorbent layer is a hydrophilic layer, wherein the second absorbent layer is disposed between the drape and the first absorbent layer; and the dressing further comprises a distribution manifold adjacent the second absorbent layer, the distribution manifold adapted to distribute reduced pressure, wherein a tissue-facing side of the distribution manifold abuts the second absorbent layer. a dressing material for transferring the reduced pressure to the tissue site and for receiving liquid from the tissue site, the dressing material comprising: a tissue-interface layer for contacting the tissue site, the tissue-interface layer being a hydrophobic layer, a manifold for distributing reduced pressure, the manifold being a hydrophobic layer, and a first absorbent layer formed from a hydrophilic material for absorbing liquid from the tissue site via the tissue-interface layer and the manifold, the manifold disposed between the tissue-interface layer and the first absorbent layer; and a tissue-interface layer for contacting the tissue site, the tissue-interface layer being a hydrophobic layer, a manifold for distributing reduced pressure, the manifold being a hydrophobic layer, and a first absorbent layer formed from a hydrophilic material for absorbing liquid from the tissue site via the tissue-interface layer and the manifold, the manifold disposed between the tissue-interface layer and the first absorbent layer; and a drape covering at least a portion of the dressing material, characterized in that: the dressing material further comprises a second absorbent layer adjacent to the first absorbent layer, wherein the second absorbent layer is a hydrophilic layer, wherein the second absorbent layer is disposed between the drape and the first absorbent layer; and the dressing further comprises a distribution manifold adjacent the second absorbent layer, the distribution manifold adapted to distribute reduced pressure, wherein a tissue-facing side of the distribution manifold abuts the second absorbent layer. the dressing material further comprises a second absorbent layer adjacent to the first absorbent layer, wherein the second absorbent layer is a hydrophilic layer, wherein the second absorbent layer is disposed between the drape and the first absorbent layer; and the dressing further comprises a distribution manifold adjacent the second absorbent layer, the distribution manifold adapted to distribute reduced pressure, wherein a tissue-facing side of the distribution manifold abuts the second absorbent layer.