This might be a little late in responding.... I worked nights and my husband worked days. Sometimes after he left in the morning I felt stuffed up and wanted some Vicks on my back to help me breathe better while sleeping. My method to put it on by myself was to smear it on a paper towel and then fling it over head with both hands onto my bare upper back. I left it on there and slept with it under my sleepwear. I'm thinking that this might work with hand lotion. I'd use some of the heavier creamy ones in a jar rather than the thin pump ones. Does this help anyone?