Compositions may include a wax modifier that is the product of a reaction between a polysaccharide having a number of sugar subunits in the range of 2 to 60 and one or more fatty acid reagents, and a reservoir fluid produced from a subterranean formation comprising one or more components capable of producing waxes. Methods may include contacting a hydrocarbon fluid with a wax modifier, wherein the wax modifier is the product of the reaction of a polysaccharide and one or more fatty acid reagents. Methods may also include introducing a wax modifier into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, wherein the wax modifier is the product of a reaction between a polysaccharide and one or more fatty acid reagents; producing hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation; and allowing the wax modifier to inhibit the precipitation of a wax.