Hyphenate a phrase used as an adjective when it precedes the noun it modifies. ... Hyphenate all "self-"compounds, whether they are adjectives or nouns. Examples: "self-report technique," "self-esteem," "self-confidence."

Should self care have a hyphen?

Or rather, it's not two hyphenated dirty words. It was one of those monikers that always made me sneer. Self-care.

When should two words be hyphenated?

Generally, you need the hyphen only if the two words are functioning together as an adjective before the noun they're describing. If the noun comes first, leave the hyphen out. This wall is load bearing. It's impossible to eat this cake because it is rock hard.