A method is provided for reducing friction between at least two metal surfaces which are in a frictional relationship with each other or otherwise in need of lubrication. The method includes contacting the metal surfaces with an effective amount of a lubricant composition comprised of partially-esterified sucrose molecules having, in one embodiment, an average distribution of from 5 to 7 fatty acids bound to a sucrose backbone. The lubricant may also include from about 20 ppm to about 10,000 ppm of an antioxidant, about half of which may be an active tocopherol.