The present disclosure relates to methods for preparing a hydrophilic composition including intimately mixing a silicone component including at least one polysiloxane and a polymer component, and to hydrophobic polymer compositions prepared thereby. One aspect of the disclosure provides an article having a major exterior surface, the article comprising an intimate mixture of a silicone component including at least one polysiloxane; and a polymer component including at least one hydrophilic polymer having a water-absorption capacity of at least 50 wt. %; wherein the silicone component and the polymer component are present in the mixture in a dry weight ratio within the range of 99.9:0.1 to 30:70. In certain desirable embodiments as otherwise described herein, the intimate mixture is disposed at an exterior surface of the article, e.g., at the major exterior surface of the article.