Absorbent core and an absorbent article respectively with improved properties, especially rewet performance, are disclosed. The absorbent core contains at least two layers, wherein each layer has from 0 to 10% by weight fibrous material and from 90 to 100% by weight water-absorbent polymer particles, based on the sum of water-absorbent polymer particles and fibrous material. The surface crosslinked water absorbent polymer particles within the upper layer have a sphericity of at least 0.89 and the absorbent core shows a CRCAP/TACAP ratio of at least 0.65.