The present invention relates to a unitary storage layer for an absorbent article, being formed by at least two sub-layers wherein a first outermost sub-layer forming said first surface and comprises cellulose pulp fibers and cross linked cellulose fibers and comprises less than 5% of SAP by weight of the sub-layer, and a second sub layer which comprises cellulose pulp fibers and SAP and is immediately adjacent to said first sub-layer.
