An article to be applied against the skin, mucous membranes or a wound, in order to absorb a liquid, such as an exudate, the article including: a distal absorbent layer; one or more visual indicators that change appearance upon contact with the liquid, the visual indicator(s) being in contact with the distal absorbent layer; an interface intended to come into contact with the skin or mucous membranes; at least one proximal absorbent layer located adjacent to the interface between the interface and the distal absorbent layer; and at least one layer forming a water barrier located between the proximal absorbent layer and the distal absorbent layer and provided with at least one passage through which the liquid that has passed through the proximal absorbent layer can reach the distal absorbent layer.