Abstract: Hydrophilic polymer, as microbeads insoluble in water, based on acrylic acid and an alkali metal acrylate constituted by an acrylic acid-potassium acrylate copolymer, cross-linked with 100 ppm to 3,000 ppm relative to the total weight of monomers of one or more cross-linking agents chosen from the group constituted by the products of general formula I: ##STR1## A=a bivalent radical derived from a C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkane presenting an absorption capacity for a salty physiological solution of 30 to 70 g per gram and from 10 to 35 g per gram under pressure, preparation process and use notably in articles of hygiene.

Abstract: Hydrophilic polymer, as microbeads insoluble in water, based on acrylic acid and an alkali metal acrylate constituted by an acrylic acid - potassium acrylate copolymer, cross-linked with 100 ppm to 3,000 ppm relative to the total weight of monomers of one or more cross-linking agents chosen from the group constituted by the products of general formula I: ##STR1## A=a bivalent radical derived from a C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkane presenting an absorption capacity for a salty physiological solution of 30 to 70 g per gram and from 10 to 35 g per gram under pressure, preparation process and use notably in articles of hygiene.