An absorbent composition having a biodegradable absorbent polymer and a hydrophilic soft polymer surface modifying agent. The absorbent composition exhibits improved absorbency under load and gel bed permeability when subjected to an Absorbency Under Load Test and a Gel Bed Permeability Test, respectively. The absorbent composition can be made by combining a biodegradable absorbent polymer with an aqueous solution of a hydrophilic soft polymer and then drying the biodegradable absorbent polymer.