A lubricant composition for use in a rotary vane compressor has a base oil component that comprises an alkylbenzene as a major component thereof and a polyol ester as a minor component thereof. In particular, the base oil component comprises at least 55% by weight of alkylbenzene and at most 45% by weight of a polyol ester, more preferably between 55% and 75% by weight of alkylbenzene and between 45% and 25% by weight of polyol ester and, especially, between 60% and 75% by weight of alkyl benzene and between 45% and 25% by weight of polyol ester.