A preparation that's liquid, for a change, not oil (6)
I believe the answer is:
lotion
'a preparation' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Medicinal preparation ' mean 'lotion' so perhaps 'preparation' could also mean 'lotion')
'change not oil' is the wordplay.
'change' indicates anagramming the letters.
'not'+'oil'='notoil'
'notoil' is an anagram of 'LOTION'.
'that's liquid for a' is the link.
This may not be correct. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for lotion that I've seen before include "Medicinal wash" , "Embrocation" , "Medicinal liquid applied to skin" , "Medicinal or cosmetic liquid for skin" , "Liquid for washing the skin" .)