A stool softener helps to allow water and fats to get into the stool, making it softer and more comfortable to pass, unlike stimulant laxatives that stimulate the muscles that line the gut, helping them to move stool along Colace® Capsules are the #1 Doctor recommended stool softener brand and have been trusted by doctors and patients for nearly 60 years to relieve occasional constipation. The active ingredient, docusate sodium, allows water and fats to get into the stool, helping to soften and make passing it more comfortable..