The present invention provides an absorbent tampon having a mass of an absorbent composite compressed into a generally cylindrical shape. The absorbent composite used in the tampon of the present invention has at least a first layer and a second layer wherein the second layer is adjacent the first layer. The first layer is prepared from a first absorbent material having a first physical property and the second layer is prepared from a second absorbent material having a second physical property, wherein the first physical property is the same physical property as the second physical property, but the value of the second physical property is different from the first physical property. By providing layers in the absorbent composite different physical properties, the tampons of the present invention can have different properties at various locations of the tampon to provide a tampon having desirable features, such as improve leakage protection.