Can I use retinol 0.5 ZO and still get exposed to sun & go the beach each weekend for the whole summer?

I spend a lot of time educating my patients on the use of Retinols (over the counter) and Retinoids (prescription strength tretinoin 0.025, 0.05, 0.1% and tazorac.
I think that consistent and continuous use of a retinoid is a MUST. The reason why - PORE SIZE!
We have lots of devices to treat lines and wrinkles, but none of them adequately treat oversized pores. SO, you must treat to prevent increased pore size and the only thing I know that works, is a retinoid over many years of use.
SO how do we use a product that is irritating to the skin? First, retinoids are inactivated by sunlight - so it is not the retinoid itself that makes you more sensitive to the sun, it is the exfoliating and resurfacing properties that make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
I recommend that you DO NOT stop your retinoid when it is sunny. Because stopping and starting is not consistent and makes it all worse.
Start by using the retinoid every other night. Use a very small amount. Put a lotion on first. Try not to back down from every other night because your skin needs consistency to get used to the product.
Also, do what you are doing and start with a Retinol - no matter what % the retinol is, it is less aggressive than a prescription Retinoid. Graduate to a retinoid after a few months.
Using it once a week will likely lead to continued irritation. Use it every other night. Decrease the strength by putting lotion on first. After a couple months, you might be able to put the retinol on first.