A polishing pad has one or more polishing elements made from a hydrogel material having an intrinsic ability to absorb water. The hydrogel material may or may not have micropores, but has a water absorption capability of 4%-60% by weight, a wet tensile strength greater than 1000 psi, a flexural modulus greater than 2000 psi, and a wet Shore D hardness between 25-80, inclusive. The hydrogel material may be made from one or a combination of the following moieties: urethane, alkylene oxides, esters, ethers, acrylic acids, acrylamides, amides, imides, vinylalcohols, vinylacetates, acrylates, methacrylates, sulfones, urethanes, vinylchlorides, etheretherketones, and / or carbonates.