Superabsorbent polymer particles with improved surface cross-linking for use in absorbent articles and a process for making the superabsorbent polymer particles. The superabsorbent polymer particles include a water-absorbing resin and the reaction product of a radiation activatable surface cross-linker. The reaction product of the radiation activatable surface cross-linker is present at surfaces of the superabsorbent polymer particles. The radiation activatable surface cross-linker includes at least two radiation activatable groups R, which are covalently bound to each other or to at least one spacer group S.