Abstract: This invention relates to a containment tissue of an absorbent article such as a diaper, treated to have regions with hydrophobic properties to maximize the strength of the containment tissue when wet. The result is less superabsorbent material contacting the user and therefore less skin irritation. Additional benefits of this invention include enhanced leakage protection and reduced skin wetting, which also reduces skin irritation. A hydrophobic agent such as a sizing agent or adhesive is used to create zones of water resiliency on the containment tissue in various regions, patterns, and/or configurations. The treatments of the containment tissue are applied by known application methods such as gravure printing, spraying, or ink jet printing. Liquid insults easily wick through untreated containment tissue but stop at the boundaries of treated regions. This provides a method of leakage control when wicking is halted before the liquid reaches the edges of the absorbent article.